Wisconsin Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 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. 16 communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System, qualifying residents for flood insurance discounts of up to 25%.
Wisconsin has recorded 9,518 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $140.4M 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
12,668
Policies effective in the trailing 13 months (July 1, 2025 - August 16, 2026), not a certified point-in-time count
WI Avg. Premium
$954/yr
National average: $915/yr
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
Wisconsin properties have filed 9,518 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $140.4M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout in 2025 was $42,222.
Recent Years
Claims by Decade
Highest-Claim Years
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage in Wisconsin
Only roughly 1 in 184 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 2,280 recorded flood events and $1.8B in damage, many flood losses in this state are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.5%
roughly 1 in 184 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
9,518 claims over 45+ years across 12,668 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$14,755
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 August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI.
Repetitive Loss Properties in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has 732 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 43 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 August 2026.
Multiple Loss
732
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
43
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
25
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 718 of 732 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Insurance Discounts in Wisconsin
16 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
Kenosha County
Class 5 - 25% 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 7 - 15% discount
Adams County
Class 7 - 15% discount
Winnebago County
Class 7 - 15% discount
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only. CRS classes and discounts are subject to change.
Federal Flood Disaster History
Wisconsin has received 22 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, severe storms, and coastal storms.
Declarations by Decade
Recent Declarations
Showing 8 most recent of 22 total declarations.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events in Wisconsin
NOAA has recorded 2,280 flood events in Wisconsin since 1996, causing an estimated $1.8B in property and crop damage and 30 deaths.
Total Events
2,280
Total Damage
$1.8B
Fatalities
30
Events by Decade
Costliest Events
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation in Wisconsin
FEMA has funded mitigation for 1,494 properties in Wisconsin, investing $116.5M 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 August 2026. FEMA records a total payment per grant rather than per property, so the dollar figure is an estimate that splits each grant across the properties it covers; the property count is exact.
Levee Protection in Wisconsin
The USACE National Levee Database lists 4 levee systems protecting parts of 2 Wisconsin cities. A system's FEMA accreditation status determines how its protected area is mapped - accredited levees are typically mapped as Zone X, while non-accredited or provisionally accredited (PAL) systems generally leave their protected area in the SFHA.
By Accreditation Status
Largest Protected Areas
Milwaukee Floodwall 3
AccreditedProtects: Milwaukee - Flood source: Lake Michigan - 0.43 sq mi
Falk Levee
Non-AccreditedProtects: Milwaukee - Flood source: Menomonee River - 0.07 sq mi
Valley Park Levee
AccreditedProtects: Milwaukee - Flood source: Menomonee River - 0.04 sq mi
Watertown Levee
Non-AccreditedProtects: Watertown - Flood source: Rock River - 0.03 sq mi
Source: USACE National Levee Database. Data sourced August 2026. Learn how levees affect flood zone mapping.
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.
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, 16 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 $954 per year across 12,668 active policies. Premiums vary by zone: Zone AE policies average $1,142/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 9,518 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $140.4M 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 732 properties with multiple flood losses. Of these, 43 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 184 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.
Are there levees protecting Wisconsin cities?
Yes. The USACE National Levee Database lists 4 levee systems protecting parts of 2 Wisconsin cities. 2 are FEMA-accredited (generally mapped as Zone X), 2 are non-accredited (the protected area stays in the SFHA), and 0 are provisionally accredited (PAL, accreditation in progress). Levee protection is system-specific, not citywide - check a specific city's page or use the address search above for the zone at a specific property.
Understanding Flood Zones
Learn more about the FEMA flood zone designations common in Wisconsin.
See the Flood Map for Any Wisconsin Address
Enter a WI address to view its FEMA flood map, 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 August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.