Enter any address in Monroe County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Monroe County. Between 2004 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 18 flash flood events and 16 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding and rock slides in July 2024, following thunderstorms over saturated soils, and river rises into minor flood stage in late June 2024.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A, which has no Base Flood Elevation (BFE) defined, have experienced 44 claims with an average payout of $3,863 and an average water depth of -1.0 feet. Properties in Zone X, which has a defined BFE, have had fewer claims (13) but with a significantly higher average payout of $51,853 and an average water depth of 0.5 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located 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.
27 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Monroe County, Wisconsin has recorded 34 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 15 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 (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, 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 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 26, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2024 | 80.00K |
| Flood | Jul 14, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2024 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2020 | 160.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 26, 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.
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2024
After midnight on July 14th, a line of thunderstorms moved across portions of western Wisconsin. As these storms moved over already saturated soils from storms a few hours prior, susceptible areas noted flooding and rock slides particularly in Trempealeau and Monroe Counties.
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.
Flash Flood — May 7, 2024
On May 6th, scattered storms produced large hail and heavy rainfall across portions of western Wisconsin. In Monroe County, a slow moving storm produced localized flash flooding near Warrens.
Flash Flood — Aug 7, 2021
Several rounds of storms moved across western Wisconsin during the afternoon of August 7th. One of these storms produced an EF3 tornado that started in Boscobel (Grant County) and traveled east/southeast before dissipating south of Blue River (Grant County). Along the path of the tornado, 6 homes sustained enough damage to be considered total losses but no injuries occurred. Flash flooding caus...
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 Monroe 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 Monroe 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.