Photo: Vilofjc · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Johnson Creek than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnson Creek gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #258 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (13%). 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 stands out about Johnson Creek’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Johnson Creek 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 Johnson Creek’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Johnson Creek, and Johnson Creek’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #258 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Johnson Creek’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, Johnson Creek has more expected damage per building than 71% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Johnson Creek: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Johnson Creek flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Johnson Creek. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Johnson Creek 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Johnson Creek
Disasters that paid out in Johnson Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Johnson Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$114K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$4K to the Village of Johnson Creek for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$658 aid approved
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 Johnson Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Johnson Creek archive →Johnson Creek and its neighbors
Johnson Creek is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Aztalan | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Johnson Creek | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Johnson Creek 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 Johnson Creek
Is Johnson Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnson Creek has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #258 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Johnson Creek 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 Johnson Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Johnson Creek’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 Johnson Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Johnson Creek, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 21 households applied for aid, $114K approved.
Is Johnson Creek at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Johnson Creek’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Johnson Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Johnson Creek’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.