Roscius S. and Lydia R. Freeman House · Photo: AlexiusHoratius · CC BY-SA 3.0River Falls’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Falls gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #274 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1998.
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 River Falls 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 River Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in River Falls, and River Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #274 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
River Falls’ residents live in 5 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, River Falls has more expected damage per building than 76% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across River Falls: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does River Falls flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in River Falls, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
River Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pierce County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to River Falls
Disasters that paid out in River Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of River Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$93K to the City of River Falls for repairs
Pierce County has had 10 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 River Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the River Falls archive →River Falls and its neighbors
River Falls is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kinnickinnic | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| River Falls | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| River Falls | Bless damage than 55% | 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 River Falls 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 River Falls
Is River Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Falls has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #274 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does River Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in River Falls since 1998, $1K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is River Falls 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 Pierce County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in River Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for River Falls’ 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 River Falls?
By FEMA money that reached River Falls, Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2001): $93K to the City of River Falls for repairs.
Is River Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and River Falls’ rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in River Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where River Falls’ 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.