Enter any address in Buffalo County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Mississippi River is a significant flood concern for Buffalo County. In April and May of 2023, rapid snowmelt combined with rain events led to increased water levels on the Mississippi River, reaching third to fifth highest crests on record at many locations and prompting a state of emergency. Earlier, in June 2020, heavy rains from Tropical Depression Cristobal caused flash flooding, with water entering homes and covering city streets in areas like Fountain City.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $9,308 and an average water depth of 1.8 feet. However, properties in Zone X_Unshaded have seen higher average payouts of $9,994, with an average water depth of 22.3 feet, and Zone X properties have had the highest average payout at $26,700 with an average water depth of 1.5 feet. Homeowners and real estate agents should pay close attention to properties located in Zone A, Zone X, and Zone X_Unshaded, as well as those situated near the Mississippi River.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
26 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Buffalo County, Wisconsin has recorded 39 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 21 flash floods and 18 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mud | Severe Storm | Jul 19, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 22, 2010 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Flooding, Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Flood | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Severe Storms,straigh Line Winds, Tornadoes,rain,and Floodi | Severe Storm | Jun 18, 1998 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 7, 1993 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Sep 14, 1992 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Hail & Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jul 7, 1978 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 20, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 18, 2018 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2018 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Sep 5, 2018 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Jul 20, 2017 | 527.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2017 | 500.00K |
Flood — Apr 20, 2023
A deeper than average snow pack from northern Minnesota into northern Wisconsin underwent a rapid melt through much of April from unseasonably warm temperatures combined with multiple rain events. This resulted in increased water levels and significant flooding for the entire length of the local Mississippi River, with most sites climbing to their third to fifth highest crests on record. A sign...
Flood — Apr 16, 2023
A deeper than average snow pack from northern Minnesota into northern Wisconsin underwent a rapid melt through much of April from unseasonably warm temperatures combined with multiple rain events. This resulted in increased water levels and significant flooding for the entire length of the local Mississippi River, with most sites climbing to their third to fifth highest crests on record. A sign...
Flood — May 1, 2023
The combination of heavy rain and anomalously warm temperatures melting a deeper than average snowpack during April resulted in moderate to major flooding stages being reached at sites along the Upper Mississippi River in Wisconsin. Initial minor flood stage was reached in mid April with near record crests near the end of April. The flooding impacts resulted in a state of emergency being issued...
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2020
Heavy rains from Tropical Depression Cristobal fell across western Wisconsin on June 9th. This heavy rain resulted in some flash flooding across portions of Buffalo, Trempealeau and Taylor Counties. In Fountain City (Buffalo County), water entered into a home when the levels reached as high as a door. High water covered some city streets in Arcadia (Trempealeau County) and up to a foot of water...
Flood — Mar 14, 2019
During the period from about March 10th through the 15th, daytime temperatures warmed well into the 40s with some locations reaching the 50s. These warm temperatures caused a rapid melt of the existing snowpack that averaged between 12 and 18 inches. The runoff from this snowmelt caused extensive flooding to occur across most of western Wisconsin. Families were displaced from homes, water went ...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Buffalo County, Wisconsin:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Buffalo County, Wisconsin that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.