Enter any address in Richland County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is a significant flood character in Richland County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 26 flash flood events and 17 flood events. For example, in September 2018, thunderstorms produced 2 to 5 inches of rain, leading to flash flooding and roads covered by 1 to 2 feet of water in Richland County. Another event in March 2019 involved rapid snowmelt causing extensive flooding, displacing families and closing numerous roads.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $16,387 and an average water depth of 4.3 feet. Properties in Zone X also have claims, averaging $8,419 with a water depth of 1.5 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.
28 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Richland County, Wisconsin has recorded 43 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 17 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 (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, 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, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jun 20, 2013 |
| 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 | Mar 14, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 28, 2018 | 610.00K |
| Flood | Aug 28, 2018 | 85.00K |
| Flood | Sep 4, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 4, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 3, 2018 | 336.00K |
| Flood | Jul 20, 2017 | 211.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2017 | 186.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2016 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2016 | 2.40M |
Flood — Mar 14, 2019
During the period from about March 10th through the 15th, daytime temperatures warmed well into the 40s with some locations reaching the 50s. These warm temperatures caused a rapid melt of the existing snowpack that averaged between 12 and 18 inches. The runoff from this snowmelt caused extensive flooding to occur across most of western Wisconsin. Families were displaced from homes, water went ...
Flood — Aug 28, 2018
For the second straight day, severe storms moved across western Wisconsin on August 28th. These storms produced damaging winds, large hail and another round of heavy rain. This additional heavy rain aggravated ongoing flooding and caused some new flooding to occur. Water from the West Fork of the Kickapoo River covered roads near Avalanche (Vernon County). Trees were blown down in Viroqua (Vern...
Flood — Sep 4, 2018
Thunderstorms with heavy rain moved across western Wisconsin during the evening of September 3rd. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches produced some flash flooding across portions of Monroe, Vernon, Crawford and Richland Counties. A mudslide occurred along State Highway 35 near Genoa (Vernon County). Roads were under water across Richland County and numerous roads were covered by 1 to 2 feet of wa...
Flood — May 4, 2018
Several rounds of thunderstorms moved across southwest Wisconsin from the late afternoon of May 3rd into the early morning hours of May 4th. These storms produced 2 to 4 inches of rain in a relatively short time. Runoff from this rain pushed the Pine River out of its banks with the flood waters closing several roads over the northern portions of Richland County. The highest reported rainfall to...
Flash Flood — Sep 3, 2018
Thunderstorms with heavy rain moved across western Wisconsin during the evening of September 3rd. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches produced some flash flooding across portions of Monroe, Vernon, Crawford and Richland Counties. A mudslide occurred along State Highway 35 near Genoa (Vernon County). Roads were under water across Richland County and numerous roads were covered by 1 to 2 feet of wa...
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 Richland 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 Richland 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.