Marshall Memorial Hall · Photo: Tgkrause · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lake Delton than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Delton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #254 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (12%). 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 Lake Delton 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 Lake Delton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Delton, and Lake Delton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #254 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Delton’s residents live in 3 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, Lake Delton has more expected damage per building than 70% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Lake Delton: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Delton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Lake Delton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Lake Delton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sauk County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake Delton
Disasters that paid out in Lake Delton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lake Delton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides$170K to the Village of Lake Delton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$802K to the Village of Lake Delton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$723 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the Village of Lake Delton for repairs
Sauk County has had 12 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 Lake Delton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Delton archive →Lake Delton and its neighbors
Lake Delton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Delton | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Delton | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wisconsin Dells | C−more damage than 82% | hail | — |
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 Lake Delton 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 Lake Delton
Is Lake Delton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Delton has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #254 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Lake Delton 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 Sauk County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lake Delton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Delton’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 Lake Delton?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Delton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 25 households applied for aid, $39K approved, and $802K to the Village of Lake Delton for repairs.
Is Lake Delton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Lake Delton’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Delton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Delton’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.