Photo: I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following license: · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Watertown faces less hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watertown gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #163 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1979.
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 Watertown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Watertown 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 Watertown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watertown, and Watertown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #163 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Watertown’s residents live in 7 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, Watertown has less expected damage per building than 55% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.4M a year in losses across Watertown: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Watertown flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watertown, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm3 claims · $52K
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $17K
Watertown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watertown
Disasters that paid out in Watertown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Watertown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$35K to the City of Watertown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding489 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$148K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$30K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$12K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 15 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 Watertown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Watertown archive →Watertown and its neighbors
Watertown is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 Watertown 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.
- Watertown residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Watertown
Is Watertown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watertown has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #163 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Watertown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Watertown since 1979, $698K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Storm (3).
Is Watertown 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 Jefferson County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Watertown?
Watertown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Watertown?
By FEMA money that reached Watertown, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 489 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $148K to the City of Watertown for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 3 paid, $52K.
Is Watertown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Watertown’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watertown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watertown’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.