Enter any address in La Crosse County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Mississippi is the dominant flood character for La Crosse County. Between 2014 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 67 flood events and 16 flash flood events. Recent examples include widespread river flooding in June and July 2024, when above-normal rainfall and robust storm events caused the Mississippi River and other river basins in western Wisconsin to enter flood stage. In July 2024, rounds of thunderstorms also led to increased runoff, with the Kickapoo River at Ontario entering major flood stage.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data from La Crosse County shows that Zone A, typically areas with higher flood risk, accounted for the largest number of claims (139) with an average payout of $5,591 and an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Zone X areas, generally considered lower risk, also saw claims, with Zone X having 23 claims averaging $5,922 and 0.3 feet of water depth. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those residing near rivers and streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
48 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
La Crosse County, Wisconsin has recorded 83 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 67 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 6 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, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jul 18, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides | Flood | Aug 17, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mud | Severe Storm | Jul 19, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Sep 21, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 14, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 540.00K |
| Flood | Apr 17, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 19, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 25, 2025
Rounds of thunderstorms on June 25th and 26th contributed to rises on area rivers in Wisconsin which included portions of the La Crosse and Lemonweir Rivers entering minor flood stage.
Flood — Jun 23, 2024
Above normal rainfall over the course of June in combination with a robust rainfall event between June 20th and 22nd led to widespread river flooding across portions of western Wisconsin. Rainfall amounts upwards of 5 inches between the 20th and 22nd allowed the Mississippi River and many other river basins in western Wisconsin to enter flood stage towards the end of June. Flooding along the Mi...
Flood — Jul 14, 2024
Rounds of thunderstorms during the middle of July led to increased runoff across portions of western Wisconsin. As a result, several river basins rose into flood stage with the passage of these storms. Most notably, the Kickapoo River at Ontario entered major flood stage with a river stage of just under 20 feet.
Flood — Jul 1, 2024
Heavy rainfall throughout June led to many locations along the Mississippi River in Western Wisconsin to enter flood stage which persisted into July. During the first week of July many points along the Mississippi River observed their maximum river stage in minor to moderate flooding. As relatively drier conditions took hold over the first half of July, river stages fell below flood stage into ...
Flood — Apr 17, 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...
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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse 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.