Enter any address in Sauk County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Sauk County. Recent events include flash flooding on June 22, 2024, caused by severe thunderstorms producing heavy rain, and on October 20, 2020, when 4-6 inches of rain led to flooded roads and washed-out areas. Another flash flood event occurred on September 12, 2019, with torrential rainfall causing creeks, small rivers, and roadways to flood.
Homeowners in Zone A, which has experienced the highest number of claims with an average payout of $41,007 and water depths averaging 5.4 feet, should pay the most attention. Properties in Zone X, with an average payout of $24,526 and water depths of 6.2 feet, also warrant attention. Residents in Zone X_UNSHADED, while having fewer claims and lower average payouts, still experienced flooding.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
40 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Sauk County, Wisconsin has recorded 68 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 35 flash floods and 33 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations, 3 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, Flooding, And Landslides | Flood | Aug 17, 2018 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 26, 2000 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 7, 1993 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Sep 14, 1992 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 22, 2020 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2019 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2019 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2019 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 12, 2019 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2019 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2019 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Aug 30, 2018 | 1.00M |
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2024
Severe thunderstorms developed across western Wisconsin and moved eastward across southern Wisconsin through the afternoon and evening hours on June 22nd due to passing low pressure and its approaching cold front. There were supercell thunderstorms along with bowing segments along this line which lead to multiple areas of damage. Two strong tornadoes occurred, which were rated EF-2 near Argyl...
Flash Flood — Oct 22, 2020
A persistent surge of relatively moist and unstable air north of a stationary front brought heavy rain and flash flooding to portions of south central WI. 4-6 inches of rain fell. Various creeks or low lying areas flooded and resulted in some flooded, washed out, and closed roads.
Flood — Mar 15, 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.
Flood — Mar 14, 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.
Flash Flood — Sep 12, 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.
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 Sauk 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 Sauk 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.