Holy Cross Church and Convent · Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Scott than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scott gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #18 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1985.
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 Scott 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 Scott’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scott, and Scott’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #18 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scott’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, Scott has less expected damage per building than 95% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Scott: $710K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scott flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scott, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Scott isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brown County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Scott
Disasters that paid out in Scott itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Scott), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the Town of Scott for repairs
Brown County has had 6 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 Scott after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scott archive →Scott and its neighbors
Scott has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. 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 Scott 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 Scott
Is Scott at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scott has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #18 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Scott flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Scott since 1985, $48K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Scott 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 Brown County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Scott?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scott’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 Scott?
By FEMA money that reached Scott, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): $20K to the Town of Scott for repairs.
Is Scott at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Scott’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scott.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scott’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.