Enter any address in Lafayette County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lafayette County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 28 flood events and 20 flash flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 15, 2024, caused by thunderstorms along a cold front, and river flooding in late June into July 2024 due to high river levels and additional rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $9,782 and an average water depth of 1.7 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also seen claims, averaging $11,654 payouts with 1.2 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
29 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lafayette County, Wisconsin has recorded 48 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 28 river or area floods. The county has received 14 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 (1969–2020)
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 Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 5, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 7, 2004 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 26, 2000 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 7, 1993 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 22, 1990 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 11, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Sep 14, 2019 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 3.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 12, 2019 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Oct 2, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Oct 2, 2019 | 1.00K |
Flood — Jul 11, 2025
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms tracked along a stationary front over far southern WI. Significant damaging wind gusts and flooding occurred.
Flood — Jun 22, 2024
Already high river levels, and additional heavy rainfall the evening of June 22nd, led to more river flooding late in June into July over portions of southern WI.
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2024
A complex of thunderstorms along a cold front moved across southern Wisconsin causing locally damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding. A tornado occurred near Evansville.
Flood — Sep 14, 2019
A strong squall line with torrential rainfall moved east along and north of warm front over southern WI. A quick 2.5-4.5 inches of rain resulted in the flash flooding of creeks, small rivers, and urban and rural roadways. Some trees were downed by straight-line winds. A 42 unit apartment building burned down in Waukesha after being struck by lightning.
Flood — Mar 13, 2019
Mild temperatures and some rainfall led to snow melt and excessive runoff on a frozen ground. Numerous rivers flooded including flooding in atypical areas due to ice jams. Evacuations were needed in some communities. The American Red Cross did respond in some cases to aid the flood victims.
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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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.