Enter any address in Chippewa County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood hazard in Chippewa County, WI, with 18 such events recorded in the last 30 years, compared to three general flood events. Recent examples include a flash flood on July 15, 2022, caused by a stationary frontal boundary and moist airmass, and another on June 9, 2020, associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal. A significant spring flood melt event also occurred in March 2019 along the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers due to above-average snowpack and warming temperatures.
Homeowners in Zone A, which has seen 20 NFIP claims, should be particularly aware of their flood risk. While Zone X has fewer claims, the average payout for Zone X claims is significantly higher, suggesting potential for substantial damage even in areas with lower perceived risk. Properties located near rivers and creeks, or those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Chippewa County, Wisconsin has recorded 21 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 11 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 (1973–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Sep 21, 2016 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 7, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding | Tornado | Sep 2, 2002 |
| Flooding, Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Flood | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 7, 1993 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Jul 24, 1980 |
| Drought | Drought | Jun 17, 1976 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 18, 2019 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2017 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2016 | 882.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 17, 2015 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2015 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2022
A stationary frontal boundary across central Minnesota, and an increasing very moist airmass with PWATs near 1.75 early Friday morning, July 15th, was the setup for a flash flood event over Chippewa County Wisconsin. During the early morning, several waves of thunderstorms developed across west central, Wisconsin, and east central Minnesota, and drifted southeast across west central Wisconsin f...
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2020
The remnants of tropical storm Cristobal moved north-northeast across eastern Iowa, and into southwest and central Wisconsin during the evening of Tuesday, June 9th. The circulation associated with the system brought record high precipitable water values across parts of the Upper Midwest. These high values combined with a nearly stationary area of showers and embedded thunderstorms that moved f...
Flash Flood — Apr 18, 2019
The combination of recent heavy rainfall, snow melt and very moist ground, led to a partial dam failure on Thursday, April 18th. ||The local Chippewa County Emergency Manager indicated that there was a partial failure of the Tilden Mill Dam, on Duncan Creek north of Chippewa Falls. There was a release of approximately 1500 cfs into the creek. ||Duncan Creek Campground, downstream from the dam, ...
Flood — Mar 15, 2019
There were many factors that led to a severe Spring flood melt along the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers and several of their tributaries during the last two weeks of March. The first factor was above average snowpack for mid March. Additionally, the added effect of a cold late Winter kept this snowpack deeper into the early Spring. Once temperatures warmed, and snow began to melt, a few storms ...
Flash Flood — Jul 12, 2017
A complex of thunderstorms that developed across west central Minnesota early Wednesday morning, moved eastward into east central, Minnesota, and into west central Wisconsin. It produced a wide swath of damaging winds, especially in east central Minnesota, north of the Twin Cities metro area. As the storms moved into west central Wisconsin, additional damage occurred, including damage to a loca...
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 Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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.