Photo: Fredsteve3 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Denmark, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Denmark gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #13 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Denmark faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Denmark’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Denmark, and Denmark’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #13 of 362 in Wisconsin; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Denmark’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Denmark has less expected damage per building than 97% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $879K a year in losses across Denmark: $491K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Denmark flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Denmark. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Denmark isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brown County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Denmark
Disasters that paid out in Denmark itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Denmark), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Brown County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Denmark after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Denmark archive →Get ready for what Denmark faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Denmark
Is Denmark at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Denmark has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #13 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Denmark in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Brown County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Denmark?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Denmark’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Denmark?
By FEMA money that reached Denmark, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 3 households applied for aid, $42K approved.
Is Denmark at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Denmark’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Denmark.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Denmark’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.