Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railroad Car Shop Historic District · Photo: Znns · CC BY-SA 4.0North Hudson’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Hudson gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #266 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1997.
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 North Hudson 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
Strong wind
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 North Hudson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Hudson, and North Hudson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #266 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Hudson’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Hudson has more expected damage per building than 73% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across North Hudson: $885K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Hudson flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Hudson, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Hudson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Croix County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Hudson
Disasters that paid out in North Hudson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of North Hudson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$42K to the Village of North Hudson for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$19K to the Village of North Hudson for repairs
St. Croix County has had 8 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 North Hudson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Hudson archive →North Hudson and its neighbors
North Hudson is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayport | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Hudson | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Hudson | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Hudson | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| West Lakeland Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 North Hudson 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 North Hudson
Is North Hudson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Hudson has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #266 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Hudson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in North Hudson since 1997, $318 in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North Hudson 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 St. Croix 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 North Hudson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Hudson’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 North Hudson?
By FEMA money that reached North Hudson, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2013): $42K to the Village of North Hudson for repairs.
Is North Hudson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and North Hudson’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Hudson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Hudson’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.