FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Saratoga than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saratoga gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #346 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2010.
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 Saratoga 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
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 Saratoga’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saratoga, and Saratoga’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 7%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #346 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saratoga’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, Saratoga has more expected damage per building than 96% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Saratoga: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saratoga flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saratoga, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Saratoga isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wood County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Saratoga
Disasters that paid out in Saratoga itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Saratoga), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$9K to the Town of Saratoga for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Wood 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 Saratoga after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saratoga archive →Saratoga and its neighbors
Saratoga is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Grant | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Port Edwards | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Saratoga | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Rome | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Port Edwards | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Nekoosa | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Armenia | — | 697 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Saratoga 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.
- 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 Saratoga
Is Saratoga at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saratoga has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #346 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saratoga flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Saratoga since 2010, $56K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Saratoga 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 Wood County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Saratoga?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saratoga’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 Saratoga?
By FEMA money that reached Saratoga, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $9K to the Town of Saratoga for repairs.
Is Saratoga at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Saratoga’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saratoga.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saratoga’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.