Enter any address in Walworth County, Wisconsin to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall is the dominant flood character in Walworth County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 17 flash flood events and 15 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in June 2025 after 4-6 inches of rain fell, and flooding in April 2023 associated with severe thunderstorms.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone X and Zone A have experienced significant payouts, averaging over $16,000, with reported water depths of -0.8 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have also seen claims with an average water depth of 4.0 feet. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, near rivers and lakes, or in zones with higher reported water depths should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
22 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Walworth County, Wisconsin has recorded 32 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 17 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 13 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 (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 5, 2008 |
| Record Snow And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 7, 2004 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 26, 2000 |
| Drought | Drought | Jun 17, 1976 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Aug 18, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Apr 4, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Apr 29, 2020 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2020 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Sep 13, 2019 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 12, 2019 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Feb 20, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Jul 12, 2017 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2017 | 10.00M |
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2025
Low pressure tracking from northern Missouri to southern Lake MI spread rounds of thunderstorms across far southern WI. This eventually led to flash flooding in Rock and Walworth Counties after 4-6 inches of rain had fallen.
Flood — Aug 18, 2025
Numerous thunderstorms and heavy rain ahead of a slow moving cold front caused some flooding in southern Rock and Walworth Counties.
Flood — Apr 4, 2023
Rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms occurred across southern WI, as low pressure and its warm and cold fronts approached and moved across the region. Many large hail reports were received along with one EF0 tornado. Some damaging winds and flooding also occurred.
Flood — Apr 29, 2020
A slow moving low pressure area brought several inches of rain to far eastern WI over a 24-40 hour period. River and lake flooding occurred along with some road flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2020
A line of severe thunderstorms ahead of an approaching cold front brought two tornadoes, flash flooding, and straight-line wind damage to far southern WI.
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 Walworth 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 Walworth 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.