Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Waupun than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waupun gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #128 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2008.
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 Waupun’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waupun 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 Waupun’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waupun, and Waupun’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A #128 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waupun’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, Waupun has less expected damage per building than 65% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Waupun: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waupun flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waupun, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Waupun is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dodge County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waupun
Disasters that paid out in Waupun itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waupun), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides$164K to the City of Waupun for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Waupun for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding546 households applied for aid$851K aid approved$185K to the City of Waupun for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$20K to the City of Waupun for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding243 households applied for aid$187K aid approved$284K to the City of Waupun for repairs
Dodge 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 Waupun after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waupun archive →Waupun and its neighbors
Waupun 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 Waupun 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.
- Waupun residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Waupun
Is Waupun at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waupun has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #128 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waupun flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Waupun since 2008, $74K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Waupun 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 Dodge County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waupun?
Waupun is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Waupun?
By FEMA money that reached Waupun, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 546 households applied for aid, $851K approved, and $185K to the City of Waupun for repairs.
Is Waupun at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Waupun’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waupun.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waupun’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.