State Bank of Ladysmith · Photo: Jeff the quiet · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Ladysmith faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ladysmith gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #280 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1994.
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 Ladysmith 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
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 Ladysmith’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ladysmith, and Ladysmith’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
B #280 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ladysmith’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, Ladysmith has more expected damage per building than 77% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Ladysmith: $862K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ladysmith flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ladysmith, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ladysmith isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rusk County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ladysmith
Disasters that paid out in Ladysmith itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ladysmith), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$673K to the City of Ladysmith for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$112K to the City of Ladysmith for repairs
Rusk County has had 9 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 Ladysmith after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ladysmith archive →Ladysmith and its neighbors
Ladysmith has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Ladysmith 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.
- 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 Ladysmith
Is Ladysmith at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ladysmith has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #280 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ladysmith flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Ladysmith since 1994, $209K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ladysmith 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 Rusk County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ladysmith?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ladysmith’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 Ladysmith?
By FEMA money that reached Ladysmith, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $673K to the City of Ladysmith for repairs.
Is Ladysmith at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Ladysmith’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ladysmith.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ladysmith’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.