McFarland House · Photo: James Steakley · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in McFarland than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McFarland gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #230 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 McFarland 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 McFarland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in McFarland, and McFarland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #230 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McFarland’s residents live in 6 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, McFarland has more expected damage per building than 63% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across McFarland: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McFarland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McFarland, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
McFarland 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McFarland
Disasters that paid out in McFarland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of McFarland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$12K to the Village of McFarland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Village of McFarland for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$18K to the Village of McFarland for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$14K to the Village of McFarland for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2000Snow$7K to the Village of McFarland for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to the Village of McFarland 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 McFarland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McFarland archive →McFarland and its neighbors
McFarland is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blooming Grove | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Madison | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Cottage Grove | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pleasant Springs | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| McFarland | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dunn | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 McFarland 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 McFarland
Is McFarland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McFarland has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #230 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McFarland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in McFarland since 2018, $19K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is McFarland 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 McFarland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McFarland’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 McFarland?
By FEMA money that reached McFarland, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $18K to the Village of McFarland for repairs.
Is McFarland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and McFarland’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McFarland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McFarland’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.