FEMA puts Empire’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Empire gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #122 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Empire 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 Empire’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Empire, and Empire’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A #122 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Empire’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Empire has less expected damage per building than 66% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Empire: $920K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Empire flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Empire, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Empire isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fond du Lac County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Empire
Disasters that paid out in Empire itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Empire), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$5K to the Town of Empire for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of Empire for repairs
Fond du Lac County has had 9 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 Empire after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Empire archive →Empire and its neighbors
Empire is 3rd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eden | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Taycheedah | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Empire | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fond du Lac | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Fond du Lac | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 382 |
| Forest | — | not graded yet | |
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 Empire 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 Empire
Is Empire at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Empire has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #122 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Empire flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Empire since 2024, $7K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Empire 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 Fond du Lac County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Empire?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Empire’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 Empire?
By FEMA money that reached Empire, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $12K to the Town of Empire for repairs.
Is Empire at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Empire’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Empire.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Empire’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.