Photo: James Steakley · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Middleton than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middleton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #201 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims 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 Middleton 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 Middleton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middleton, and Middleton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #201 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Middleton’s residents live in 10 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, Middleton has more expected damage per building than 55% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Middleton: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Middleton flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middleton, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Middleton 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 Middleton
Disasters that paid out in Middleton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Middleton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides157 households applied for aid$242K aid approved$3.6M to the City of Middleton for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the City of Middleton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$78K to the City of Middleton for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$25K to the City of Middleton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Snow$8K to the City of Middleton for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$115K to the City of Middleton 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 Middleton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Middleton archive →Middleton and its neighbors
Middleton is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middleton | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Springfield | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Madison | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Westport | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Middleton | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Middleton 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 Middleton
Is Middleton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middleton has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #201 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Middleton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Middleton since 2018, $1.5M in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Middleton 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 Middleton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Middleton’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 Middleton?
By FEMA money that reached Middleton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides (2018): 157 households applied for aid, $242K approved, and $3.6M to the City of Middleton for repairs.
Is Middleton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Middleton’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middleton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middleton’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.