More hazard damage per building is expected in Sumpter than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sumpter gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2000.
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 Sumpter 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 Sumpter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sumpter, and Sumpter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sumpter’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $865K a year in losses across Sumpter: $688K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sumpter flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sumpter, from FEMA’s records: 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $713
Sumpter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sauk County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sumpter
Disasters that paid out in Sumpter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sumpter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$93K to the Town of Sumpter for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$24K to the Town of Sumpter for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$54K to the Town of Sumpter for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Sauk County has had 12 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 Sumpter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sumpter archive →Sumpter and its neighbors
Sumpter is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baraboo | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Prairie du Sac | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Merrimac | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sumpter | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Honey Creek | — | 730 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Freedom | — | 617 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 Sumpter 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 Sumpter
Is Sumpter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sumpter has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sumpter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Sumpter since 2000, $51K in all, or 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Sumpter 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 Sauk County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sumpter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sumpter’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 Sumpter?
By FEMA money that reached Sumpter, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $93K to the Town of Sumpter for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $713.
Is Sumpter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Sumpter’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sumpter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sumpter’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.