Bonnie Brae · Photo: TheCatalyst31 · CC0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Linn than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linn gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #125 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1980.
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 Linn 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 Linn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Linn, and Linn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A #125 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Linn’s residents live in 4 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, Linn has less expected damage per building than 66% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Linn: $837K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Linn flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Linn, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Linn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walworth County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Linn
Disasters that paid out in Linn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Linn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Linn for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$6K to the Town of Linn for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$31K to the Town of Linn for repairs
Walworth County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Linn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Linn archive →Linn and its neighbors
Linn is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Geneva | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Williams Bay | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Alden Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fontana-on-Geneva Lake | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Linn | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Geneva | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Hebron Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Walworth | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bloomfield | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Bloomfield | — | not graded yet | |
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 Linn 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 Linn
Is Linn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linn has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #125 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Linn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Linn since 1980, $776 in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Linn 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 Walworth County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Linn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Linn’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 Linn?
By FEMA money that reached Linn, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2000): $31K to the Town of Linn for repairs.
Is Linn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Linn’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Linn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Linn’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.