Holy Hill · Photo: Holy_Hill.jpg: Shoelace414 derivative work: Rabanus Flavus · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Erin’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erin gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #193 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1999.
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 Erin 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 Erin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Erin, and Erin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #193 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Erin’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, Erin has more expected damage per building than 53% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Erin: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Erin flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Erin, from FEMA’s records: 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm8 claims · $235K
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $43K
Erin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Erin
Disasters that paid out in Erin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Erin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the Town of Erin for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$20K to the Town of Erin for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$5K to the Town of Erin for repairs
Washington County has had 11 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 Erin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Erin archive →Erin and its neighbors
Erin is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Ashippun | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Richfield | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Erin | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Merton | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Erin 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 Erin
Is Erin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erin has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #193 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (13%). 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.
Does Erin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Erin since 1999, $292K in all, or 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (8).
Is Erin 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 Washington County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Erin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Erin’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 Erin?
By FEMA money that reached Erin, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $20K to the Town of Erin for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 8 paid, $235K.
Is Erin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Erin’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Erin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Erin’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.