Photo: college.library · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Madison than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #112 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 31 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 Madison’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Madison 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 Madison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madison, and Madison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A #112 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madison’s residents live in 75 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, Madison has less expected damage per building than 69% of Wisconsin towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Madison has lower expected damage per building than 95% (#19 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $76.3M, is the 156th largest of those 400.
Does Madison flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm3 claims · $21K
Madison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dane County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madison
Disasters that paid out in Madison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Madison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides528 households applied for aid$937K aid approved$2.1M to the City of Madison for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$546K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding437 households applied for aid$370K aid approved$219K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$425K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding98 households applied for aid$49K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding75 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2000Snow$236K to the City of Madison for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$141K to the City of Madison for repairs
Dane County has had 16 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 Madison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madison archive →Madison and its neighbors
Madison is 6th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burke | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fitchburg | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Blooming Grove | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Middleton | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Verona | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Madison | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Monona | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Cottage Grove | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Westport | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Middleton | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| McFarland | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Madison 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 Madison
Is Madison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #112 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Madison since 1978, $177K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (3).
Is Madison 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 Dane County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Madison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madison’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 Madison?
By FEMA money that reached Madison, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides (2018): 528 households applied for aid, $937K approved, and $2.1M to the City of Madison for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 3 paid, $21K.
Is Madison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Madison’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madison’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.