Jacob Weber House · Photo: Jeff the quiet · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Wisconsin Dells faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, led by hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wisconsin Dells gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #355 of 362 in Wisconsin State. Most of that expected damage is hail (48%), then river and rain flooding (45%). 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 Wisconsin Dells faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Wisconsin Dells’ grade
Hail is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wisconsin Dells, and Wisconsin Dells’ rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 45% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #355 of 362 in Wisconsin State; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wisconsin Dells’ residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Wisconsin State town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Wisconsin Dells has more expected damage per building than 98% of Wisconsin State towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Wisconsin Dells: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wisconsin Dells flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Wisconsin Dells. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Wisconsin Dells 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wisconsin Dells
Disasters that paid out in Wisconsin Dells itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wisconsin Dells), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides11 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding101 households applied for aid$262K aid approved$92K to the City of Wisconsin Dells for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$634 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding30 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2000Snow$8K to the City of Wisconsin Dells for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$12K to the City of Wisconsin Dells for repairs
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 Wisconsin Dells after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wisconsin Dells archive →Wisconsin Dells and its neighbors
Wisconsin Dells is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Delton | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dell Prairie | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Delton | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lyndon | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wisconsin Dells | C−more damage than 82% | hail | 0 |
| Newport | — | 597 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 Wisconsin Dells faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Wisconsin Dells
Is Wisconsin Dells at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wisconsin Dells has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #355 of 362 in Wisconsin State. Most of the expected damage is hail (48%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wisconsin Dells’ 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 Wisconsin Dells?
By FEMA money that reached Wisconsin Dells, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 101 households applied for aid, $262K approved, and $92K to the City of Wisconsin Dells for repairs.
Is Wisconsin Dells at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Wisconsin Dells’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wisconsin Dells.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wisconsin Dells’ 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.