Photo: Bohao Zhao · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in La Crosse than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Crosse gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #209 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hail (15%). Flood insurance has paid 76 claims here since 1978.
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 La Crosse’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What La Crosse 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 La Crosse’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Crosse, and La Crosse’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 15%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #209 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Crosse’s residents live in 18 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, La Crosse has more expected damage per building than 58% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.0M a year in losses across La Crosse: $9.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Crosse flood? Sometimes: 76 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Crosse, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding19 claims · $40K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding2 claims · $8K
La Crosse isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: La Crosse County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Crosse
Disasters that paid out in La Crosse itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of La Crosse), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$9K to the City of La Crosse for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides38 households applied for aid$85K aid approved$87K to the City of La Crosse for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud$236K to the City of La Crosse for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding49 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding565 households applied for aid$711K aid approved$87K to the City of La Crosse for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$4K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$273K to the City of La Crosse for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
La Crosse County has had 15 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 La Crosse after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Crosse archive →La Crosse and its neighbors
La Crosse is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onalaska | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Medary | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| La Crosse | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Campbell | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Onalaska | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Shelby | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| La Crescent Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| French Island | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse
Is La Crosse at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Crosse has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #209 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hail (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Crosse flood?
Flood insurance has paid 76 claims in La Crosse since 1978, $550K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (19).
Is La Crosse 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 La Crosse County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in La Crosse?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Crosse’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 La Crosse?
By FEMA money that reached La Crosse, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 565 households applied for aid, $711K approved, and $87K to the City of La Crosse for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 19 paid, $40K.
Is La Crosse at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and La Crosse’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Crosse.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Crosse’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.