Enter any address in Marathon County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates Marathon County's flood events. Recent examples include July 2024, when thunderstorms produced 2 to 3 inches of rain in Wausau, and August 2024, when 3 to 5 inches of rain caused flash flooding and road closures. Another instance occurred in August 2021, with 2 to 4 inches of rain leading to flash flooding across central and southern parts of the county.
While flash flooding is frequent, broader flooding also occurs. In March 2016, 1.5 to 3 inches of rain caused runoff and flooding along rivers in central Wisconsin. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $6,304 and an average water depth of 2.9 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas prone to river overflow or without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Marathon County, Wisconsin has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 11 federal disaster declarations, 1 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 And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 22, 2010 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 21, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 7, 1993 |
| Drought | Drought | Jun 17, 1976 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Apr 27, 1973 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2024 | 58.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jul 27, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 16, 2016 | 2.50K |
| Flood | Mar 16, 2016 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 23, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2010 | 400.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2009 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2024
Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon on Saturday (7/13) as the area reached its convective temperature. These initial storms produced large hail up to 3 inches, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall across central Wisconsin. Flash Flooding was reported in Wausau as 2 to 3 inches of rain fell during the afternoon. ||A line of severe thunderstorms, associated with a mesoscale convective vorte...
Flash Flood — Aug 1, 2024
A slow moving low pressure system tracked across Wisconsin during the afternoon hours on Thursday (8/1). Showers and thunderstorms developed in a very moist airmass leading to small hail, gusty winds, and very heavy rain along across portions of central Wisconsin. As much as 3 to 5 inches of rain fell across this region during the afternoon, causing flash flooding and road closures across porti...
Flash Flood — Aug 11, 2021
Thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front during the afternoon across northeast Wisconsin. The strongest storms produced wind damage, large hail and 2 tornadoes. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches fell across central and southern Marathon County, producing flash flooding across these areas.
Flood — Jul 27, 2016
Slow moving thunderstorms, in a moist and very unstable air mass in the vicinity of a nearly stationary front, produced isolated wind damage and minor flooding in central Wisconsin. Rainfall from the storms was heavy enough to cause street flooding near and west of Edgar (Marathon Co.) and in Birnamwood (Shawano Co.).
Flood — Mar 16, 2016
A strong spring storm system produced a swath of 1.5 to 3 inches of rain over much of central Wisconsin from the evening of March 15th into the morning of the 16th. |Runoff from the heavy rain caused flooding of, mainly low-lying, areas along most of the main rivers across central Wisconsin. The heavy rain caused ponding of water roads, resulting in the closure of roads in the Merrill area (L...
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 Marathon 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 Marathon 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.