Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Dodgeville faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dodgeville gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hail (11%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2007.
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 Dodgeville 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Dodgeville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dodgeville, and Dodgeville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 11%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dodgeville’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $907K a year in losses across Dodgeville: $649K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dodgeville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dodgeville, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dodgeville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Iowa County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dodgeville
Disasters that paid out in Dodgeville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dodgeville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$20K to the Town of Dodgeville for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud$4K to the Town of Dodgeville for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$9K to the Town of Dodgeville for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Town of Dodgeville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$26K to the Town of Dodgeville for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$31K to the Town of Dodgeville for repairs
Iowa County has had 14 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 Dodgeville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dodgeville archive →Dodgeville and its neighbors
Dodgeville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgeville | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Ridgeway | — | 508 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wyoming | — | 342 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mineral Point | — | 906 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Linden | — | 890 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Clyde | — | 379 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Waldwick | — | 471 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Highland | — | 837 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Eden | — | 304 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Dodgeville 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Dodgeville
Is Dodgeville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dodgeville has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hail (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dodgeville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Dodgeville since 2007, $26K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Dodgeville 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 Iowa County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dodgeville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dodgeville’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 Dodgeville?
By FEMA money that reached Dodgeville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2000): $31K to the Town of Dodgeville for repairs.
Is Dodgeville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Dodgeville’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dodgeville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dodgeville’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.