Photo: Downspec · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Platteville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Platteville gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #32 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1993.
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 Platteville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Platteville 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
Strong wind
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 Platteville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Platteville, and Platteville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 22% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #32 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Platteville’s residents live in 2 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, Platteville has less expected damage per building than 91% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Platteville: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Platteville flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Platteville, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $4K
Platteville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grant County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Platteville
Disasters that paid out in Platteville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Platteville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the City of Platteville for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$9K to the City of Platteville for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding109 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$58K to the City of Platteville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$12K to the City of Platteville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Grant County has had 17 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 Platteville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Platteville archive →Get ready for what Platteville 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Platteville
Is Platteville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Platteville has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #32 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Platteville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Platteville since 1993, $21K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Platteville 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 Grant County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Platteville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Platteville’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 Platteville?
By FEMA money that reached Platteville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 109 households applied for aid, $100K approved, and $58K to the City of Platteville for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Platteville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Platteville’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Platteville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Platteville’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.