Wisconsin Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Wisconsin faces riverine flooding from the Mississippi, Wisconsin, Fox, and Chippewa rivers, flash flooding from intense rainfall, and coastal flooding along the Great Lakes. Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme rainfall events that overwhelm river systems and urban drainage.
2 of 72 Wisconsin counties are rated high or very high for inland flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. 12 communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System, qualifying residents for flood insurance discounts of up to 25%.
Wisconsin has recorded 9,296 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $132.8M in payouts. See how Wisconsin compares in our nationwide NFIP claims data breakdown.
FEMA Region
Region 5
Also covers Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, +2 more
NFIP Policies
12,731
Avg. Premium
$911/yr
Wisconsin Flood Risk Overview
County-level risk ratings from FEMA's National Risk Index across 72 Wisconsin counties.
Inland Flood Risk
2 of 72 counties rated high or very high
Coastal Flood Risk
0 of 15 coastal counties rated high or very high
Hurricane Risk
0 of 34 counties rated high or very high
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment.
Federal Flood Disaster History
Wisconsin has received 21 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, severe storms, and coastal storms.
Declarations by Decade
Recent Declarations
Showing 8 most recent of 21 total declarations.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
Wisconsin properties have filed 9,296 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $132.8M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout in 2025 was $37,820.
Recent Years
Claims by Decade
Highest-Claim Years
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage in Wisconsin
Only roughly 1 in 183 households in Wisconsin carries NFIP flood insurance (0.5% of estimated households). 70 of 72 counties have elevated flood risk but low insurance coverage. With 2,232 recorded flood events and $1.8B in damage, many flood losses in this state are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.5%
roughly 1 in 183 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
9,296 claims over 45+ years across 12,731 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$14,286
Per claim, state-wide since 1978
Historically, Wisconsin has averaged 1 claim for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI.
Repetitive Loss Properties in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has 712 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 40 severe repetitive loss properties. 25 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
712
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
40
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
25
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 698 of 712 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events in Wisconsin
NOAA has recorded 2,232 flood events in Wisconsin since 1996, causing an estimated $1.8B in property and crop damage and 30 deaths.
Total Events
2,232
Total Damage
$1.8B
Fatalities
30
Events by Decade
Costliest Events
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation in Wisconsin
FEMA has funded mitigation for 1,475 properties in Wisconsin, investing $46.1M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
Properties by Action
Mitigation by Decade
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Mitigated Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Insurance Discounts in Wisconsin
12 Wisconsin communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), earning flood insurance premium discounts for residents in Special Flood Hazard Areas. CRS classes in Wisconsin range from 5 to 9, with discounts from 5% to 25%.
Class 5 - 25% discount
Class 6 - 20% discount
Class 6 - 20% discount
Class 6 - 20% discount
Class 6 - 20% discount
Class 7 - 15% discount
Class 7 - 15% discount
Class 7 - 15% discount
Class 7 - 15% discount
Class 8 - 10% discount
Class 8 - 10% discount
Class 9 - 5% discount
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only. CRS classes and discounts are subject to change.
Wisconsin Cities
Explore flood zone information for major cities in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Flood Zone FAQ
How do I check if my Wisconsin property is in a flood zone?
Enter your WI address in FludZone's free lookup tool. We query FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer in real-time to show your flood zone designation, whether flood insurance is required, and your property's risk level.
Do I need flood insurance in Wisconsin?
If your Wisconsin property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), meaning zones starting with A or V, and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not subject to the federal mandate but lenders may still require coverage, and it is often recommended given Wisconsin's flood history.
What are the most common flood zones in Wisconsin?
The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Wisconsin are Zone AE, Zone A, Zone X. Each zone reflects a different level of flood risk, from high-risk areas where flood insurance is generally required for federally regulated or government-backed mortgages to lower-risk areas where coverage is optional but recommended.
Can I remove my Wisconsin property from a flood zone?
Yes, if your Wisconsin property's natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in the SFHA, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) through FEMA. For properties in Wisconsin's AE and A zones, the LOMA process is relatively straightforward when the elevation data supports it. If your property was raised above the BFE with fill, the process is a LOMR-F. A successful LOMA generally removes the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement, but your lender may still choose to require coverage. You'll need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor.
Do any Wisconsin communities offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes, 12 Wisconsin communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for exceeding minimum flood mitigation standards. Residents in participating communities can receive NFIP premium discounts of up to 25% in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Properties outside the SFHA also benefit: CRS classes 1 through 6 receive a 10% discount, and classes 7 through 9 receive a 5% discount on NFIP premiums. Check your city's page on FludZone to see if your community participates.
How much does flood insurance cost in Wisconsin?
The average NFIP flood insurance premium in Wisconsin is $911 per year across 12,731 active policies. Premiums vary by zone: Zone AE policies average $1,094/yr. Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0, your specific premium depends on property type, elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation, and distance to water, not just your flood zone designation.
Which Wisconsin counties have the highest flood risk?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Milwaukee, Dane are among Wisconsin's highest-risk counties for inland flooding. Overall, 2 of 72 Wisconsin counties are rated "High" or "Very High" for inland flood risk. County-level ratings account for historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
How many NFIP flood insurance claims has Wisconsin had?
Wisconsin has recorded 9,296 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $132.8M in payouts since 1978. The highest-claim year was 2008, with 1,548 claims and $33.6M in payouts. This history reflects cumulative flood damage to Wisconsin properties across decades of storm and rainfall events.
How many Wisconsin properties have flooded repeatedly?
Wisconsin has 712 properties with multiple flood losses. Of these, 40 are classified as Severe Repetitive Loss, meaning they have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000 or more, or two or more claims where the total exceeds the building value. 25 of these properties have been mitigated.
What percentage of Wisconsin homes have flood insurance?
Only roughly 1 in 183 households in Wisconsin carries NFIP flood insurance (0.5% of estimated households). 70 counties in Wisconsin have elevated flood risk but low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Understanding Flood Zones
Learn more about the FEMA flood zone designations common in Wisconsin.
Insurance & Cost
Do I Need Flood Insurance?Flood Insurance CostsNFIP vs Private InsuranceRisk Rating 2.0Community Rating SystemBuying in a Flood ZoneFlood Zone DeterminationInsurance Waiting PeriodFlood vs Homeowners InsuranceInsurance Outside the SFHAZone X Flood InsuranceFlood Zones & Property ValueLook Up Any Wisconsin Address
Enter a WI address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.