Enter any address in Dane County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is a primary flood concern in Dane County. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 47 flash flood events and 35 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in Madison in June 2024 due to training thunderstorms, and street flooding in Madison in May 2024 following severe thunderstorms.
FEMA data shows a significant number of flood insurance claims have been filed in various flood zones. Zone A, which typically represents areas of higher flood risk, has seen 129 claims with an average payout of $28,448 and an average water depth of 2.5 feet. Zone X, representing moderate flood risk, has also experienced substantial claims, with 109 claims averaging $30,626 and 2.3 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in Zone X with higher average water depths, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
47 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Dane County, Wisconsin has recorded 82 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 47 flash floods and 35 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides | Flood | Aug 17, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 5, 2008 |
| Record Snow And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 18, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 7, 2004 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 23, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 30.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2023 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 29, 2020 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2019 | 3.00K |
Flood — Jun 23, 2025
A couple strong to severe lines of thunderstorms moved across southern WI along a stationary front. Damaging winds and flooding occurred.
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2024
Severe thunderstorms developed across western Wisconsin and moved eastward across southern Wisconsin through the afternoon and evening hours on June 22nd due to passing low pressure and its approaching cold front. There were supercell thunderstorms along with bowing segments along this line which lead to multiple areas of damage. Two strong tornadoes occurred, which were rated EF-2 near Argyl...
Flood — May 21, 2024
Lines and clusters of severe thunderstorms moved across southern WI from the late morning through the late evening as the passage of a warm front was quickly followed by a cold front. Straight-line winds accounted for fairly widespread tree limb damage especially over south central WI. Several reports of large hail were received while street flooding was reported in Madison. A couple brief EF1 ...
Flash Flood — Jun 19, 2024
Scattered to numerous thunderstorms developed ahead of a slow moving cold front. The training of thunderstorms over Madison led to the flash flooding of streets. Another thunderstorm produced tree damage in southwest Dodge County.
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2024
A couple lines of strong to severe thunderstorms moved across southern WI with reports of damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding. The storms developed along a warm front.
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 Dane 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 Dane 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.