A. D. German Wholesale Company and Warehouse, Additional Documentation · Photo: Lowell Boileau · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Richland Center than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richland Center gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #337 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1978.
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 Richland Center 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
Tornadoes
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 Richland Center’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richland Center, and Richland Center’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #337 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richland Center’s residents live in 3 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, Richland Center has more expected damage per building than 93% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Richland Center: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richland Center flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richland Center, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm2 claims · $32K
Richland Center isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Richland County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richland Center
Disasters that paid out in Richland Center itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richland Center), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides13 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$36K to the City of Richland Center for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud$93K to the City of Richland Center for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$44K to the City of Richland Center for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$29K to the City of Richland Center for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding93 households applied for aid$121K aid approved$84K to the City of Richland Center for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding232 households applied for aid$305K aid approved$234K to the City of Richland Center for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
Richland County has had 16 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 Richland Center after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richland Center archive →Richland Center and its neighbors
Richland Center has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richland Center | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Richland | Cmore damage than 72% | 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 Richland Center 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.
- 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.
- 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 Richland Center
Is Richland Center at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richland Center has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #337 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richland Center flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Richland Center since 1978, $169K in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (2).
Is Richland Center 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 Richland County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Richland Center?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richland Center’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 Richland Center?
By FEMA money that reached Richland Center, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 232 households applied for aid, $305K approved, and $234K to the City of Richland Center for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 2 paid, $32K.
Is Richland Center at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Richland Center’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richland Center.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richland Center’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.