Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Stoughton than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stoughton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #177 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (14%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 stands out about Stoughton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Stoughton 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 Stoughton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stoughton, and Stoughton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #177 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stoughton’s 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, Stoughton has less expected damage per building than 51% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Stoughton: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stoughton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Stoughton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Stoughton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dane County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stoughton
Disasters that paid out in Stoughton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Stoughton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the City of Stoughton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding78 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$29K to the City of Stoughton for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$26K to the City of Stoughton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2000Snow$9K to the City of Stoughton for repairs
Dane County has had 16 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 Stoughton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stoughton archive →Stoughton and its neighbors
Stoughton is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutland | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Dunkirk | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Stoughton | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Pleasant Springs | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Dunn | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Stoughton 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 Stoughton
Is Stoughton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stoughton has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #177 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Stoughton 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 Dane County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stoughton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stoughton’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 Stoughton?
By FEMA money that reached Stoughton, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 78 households applied for aid, $80K approved, and $29K to the City of Stoughton for repairs.
Is Stoughton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Stoughton’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stoughton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stoughton’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.