More hazard damage per building is expected in Poynette than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poynette gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hail (36%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Poynette 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
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 Poynette’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Poynette, and Poynette’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 36%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #362 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Poynette’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, Poynette has more expected damage per building than 100% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Poynette: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Poynette flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Poynette, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Poynette isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Poynette
Disasters that paid out in Poynette itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Poynette), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding99 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$25K to the Village of Poynette for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2000Snow$1K to the Village of Poynette for repairs
Columbia County has had 8 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 Poynette after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Poynette archive →Poynette and its neighbors
Poynette is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Poynette 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.
- 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 Poynette
Is Poynette at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poynette has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hail (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Poynette flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Poynette since 1993, $25K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Poynette 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 Columbia County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Poynette?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Poynette’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 Poynette?
By FEMA money that reached Poynette, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 99 households applied for aid, $106K approved, and $25K to the Village of Poynette for repairs.
Is Poynette at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Poynette’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Poynette.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Poynette’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.