Storms, floods and disasters in La Farge
La Farge isn’t graded for hazard risk: La Farge has 575 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1978.
What La Farge 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.
Does La Farge flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Farge, from FEMA’s records.
- The Storm11 claims · $213K
La Farge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Vernon County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Farge
Disasters that paid out in La Farge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of La Farge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides62 households applied for aid$178K aid approved$13K to the Village of La Farge for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding105 households applied for aid$398K aid approved$75K to the Village of La Farge for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding97 households applied for aid$147K aid approved$18K to the Village of La Farge for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$5K to the Village of La Farge for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$8K to the Village of La Farge for repairs
Vernon County has had 20 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 Farge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Farge archive →Get ready for what La Farge 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 La Farge
Does La Farge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in La Farge since 1978, $1.3M in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (11).
Is La Farge 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 Vernon County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in La Farge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Farge’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 Farge?
By FEMA money that reached La Farge, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 105 households applied for aid, $398K approved, and $75K to the Village of La Farge for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 11 paid, $213K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Farge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Farge’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.