Photo: Scott Catron · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Fort Atkinson’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Atkinson gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #341 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 49 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Fort Atkinson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fort Atkinson 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 Fort Atkinson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Atkinson, and Fort Atkinson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C #341 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Atkinson’s residents live in 5 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, Fort Atkinson has more expected damage per building than 94% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Fort Atkinson: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Atkinson flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Atkinson, from FEMA’s records: 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm6 claims · $190K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $10K
Fort Atkinson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fort Atkinson
Disasters that paid out in Fort Atkinson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fort Atkinson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$40K to the City of Fort Atkinson for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding380 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$233K to the City of Fort Atkinson for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$19K to the City of Fort Atkinson for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding45 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$17K to the City of Fort Atkinson for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Jefferson 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 Fort Atkinson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Atkinson archive →Fort Atkinson and its neighbors
Fort Atkinson is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koshkonong | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fort Atkinson | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
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 Fort Atkinson 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 Fort Atkinson
Is Fort Atkinson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Atkinson has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #341 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Atkinson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in Fort Atkinson since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (6).
Is Fort Atkinson 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 Jefferson County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Atkinson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Atkinson’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 Fort Atkinson?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Atkinson, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 380 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $233K to the City of Fort Atkinson for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 6 paid, $190K.
Is Fort Atkinson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Fort Atkinson’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Atkinson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Atkinson’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.