James Jesse Strang House · Photo: TheCatalyst31 · CC0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Spring Prairie than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Prairie gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
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 Spring Prairie 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 Spring Prairie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spring Prairie, and Spring Prairie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Spring Prairie’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Spring Prairie: $861K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spring Prairie flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spring Prairie, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Spring Prairie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walworth County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Spring Prairie
Disasters that paid out in Spring Prairie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Spring Prairie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Town of Spring Prairie for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$4K to the Town of Spring Prairie for repairs
- 2000Snow$4K to the Town of Spring Prairie for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2K to the Town of Spring Prairie for repairs
Walworth County has had 10 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 Spring Prairie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spring Prairie archive →Spring Prairie and its neighbors
Spring Prairie is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyons | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Lafayette | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Troy | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Burlington | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Spring Prairie | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Burlington | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Rochester | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Spring Prairie 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 Spring Prairie
Is Spring Prairie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Prairie has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Spring Prairie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Spring Prairie since 2017, $28K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Spring Prairie 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 Walworth County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spring Prairie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spring Prairie’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 Spring Prairie?
By FEMA money that reached Spring Prairie, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $10K to the Town of Spring Prairie for repairs.
Is Spring Prairie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Spring Prairie’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spring Prairie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spring Prairie’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.