Hazard Plain Automated baseline

Vernon County, WI

Risk-assessment baseline packet

County FIPS:
55123
Release:
2026-10
Data as of:
2026-09-30
Storm Events data through:
2026-06-30

Hazard Plain is an independent product built from public federal data. It is not a FEMA document and is not reviewed or endorsed by FEMA or any state agency.

Hazard Plain release 2026-10, as of 2026-09-30.

Summary

Plan status as of 2026-09-30: Approved, expires 2028-12-04. Plan: Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), approved 2023-12-05.

Since the plan was approved on 2023-12-05: 1 new hazard declaration (1 incident) and 59 NOAA Storm Events records; details under "What changed since your last plan".

Highest expected annual loss (FEMA National Risk Index, modeled total; see B1-a): Cold Wave ($9,991,615 a year), Inland Flooding ($9,764,866) and Tornado ($1,847,533).

The tables that follow are organized by the items of FEMA's Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool, Element B (B1-a to B2-c); each heading says which item its tables support.

Plan clock

Status:
Approved, expires 2028-12-04
Plan:
Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)
Approved:
2023-12-05
Days to expiry:
796

What changed since your last plan (approved 2023-12-05)

New federal declarations:
1 new hazard declaration (1 incident): DR-4923-WI (Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding)
Storm Events records since approval:
59 records (data through 2026-06-30)
Repetitive loss now:
FMA RL 0, SRL 1 (44 CFR 77.2); any definition: 21
Repeat-flood change:
this release sets the baseline count.

Sources: 1, 2, 4, 6 (numbered list at the end)

Plan status for every jurisdiction listed in this county: 35 rows, in the section "Plan clock: Plan status for every jurisdiction listed in this county" on the following pages.

State plan status and tribal plans in this state: see the state page.

Plan clock

Plan status for every jurisdiction listed in this county

Source: 1

JurisdictionTypeStatusPlanApprovedExpiresDays to expirynegative = days since expiryUpdate underwayNotes
Vernon CountyCountyApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796
Chaseburg villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Coon Valley villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
De Soto villageVillageApproved, expires 2030-04-13Crawford County Hazard Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 110140)2025-04-142030-04-131,291Also approved under plan 109429 (Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan, expires 2028-12-04). FEMA's plan status map shows one plan per jurisdiction and may show one of these; this packet uses the approved plan that expires last. this jurisdiction approved 2026-05-04
Genoa villageVillagePlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Hillsboro cityCityPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
La Farge villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Ontario villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Readstown villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Stoddard villageVillagePlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Viola villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-04-03Richland County (FEMA plan 108642)2023-04-042028-04-03551FEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Viroqua cityCityApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Westby cityCityApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Bergen townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Christiana townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Clinton townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Coon townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Forest townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Franklin townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Genoa townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Greenwood townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Hamburg townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Harmony townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Hillsboro townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Jefferson townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Kickapoo townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Liberty townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-12-19
Stark townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Sterling townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Union townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Viroqua townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Webster townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Wheatland townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleVernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429), pending adoption here2023-12-05 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2028-12-04 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.
Whitestown townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan (FEMA plan 109429)2023-12-052028-12-04796this jurisdiction approved 2024-04-19
Cashton School DistrictSchool/School DistrictPlan 110821 approved 2026-05-04, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleMonroe County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2025 (FEMA plan 110821), pending adoption here2026-05-04 by FEMA; not yet adopted here2031-05-03 once adoptedFEMA tracker shows a plan approvable pending adoptionNot yet eligible: adopt the approved plan.

Supports FEMA checklist item B1-a: hazard identification

Hazards NRI does not cover (local data needed)

  • dam failure (incl. upstream dams)
  • levee failure
  • flash flood as its own subtype
  • ice jams
  • debris flows
  • erosion (riverine and coastal)
  • land subsidence and sinkholes
  • expansive soils

The 18 National Risk Index hazards, ranked by expected annual loss (EAL)

Sources: 5, 6

Rank by EALHazardNRI risk ratingEAL ratingEAL buildingsmodeled dollars per yearEAL agriculturemodeled dollars per yearCost of expected deaths and injuriesFEMA's dollar value per year, not property damageEAL total (see note)modeled dollars per yearStorm Events records, 1996 to 2026-06-30countStorm Events coverage note
1Cold WaveRelatively HighRelatively High$152$27,496$9,963,968$9,991,61521Includes 1 Frost/Freeze record (outside NRI's Cold Wave definition; counted in this table and in B1-d, not in the B1-e descriptor).
2Inland FloodingRelatively LowRelatively Low$8,401,203$558,801$804,862$9,764,866155
3TornadoRelatively ModerateRelatively Low$947,343$6,829$893,360$1,847,53311
4HailRelatively ModerateRelatively Moderate$782,760$206,175$64,319$1,053,253131
5LandslideRelatively HighRelatively Moderate$13,605n/a$978,571$992,1770Declared 4 times; no Storm Events record of this type.
6Strong WindRelatively ModerateRelatively Moderate$138,126$20,002$685,000$843,128181Includes 6 High Wind and 2 Strong Wind records (NOAA non-thunderstorm wind types, outside NRI's Strong Wind definition).
7Heat WaveRelatively LowRelatively Low$421$3$586,578$587,00113
8LightningRelatively LowRelatively Low$30,497n/a$59,171$89,6684
9DroughtRelatively LowRelatively Lown/a$69,036n/a$69,03619
10Ice StormRelatively LowRelatively Low$1,225n/a$57,717$58,9424
11Winter WeatherRelatively LowRelatively Low$7,872$1,543$18,918$28,33397
12EarthquakeVery LowVery Low$8,037n/a$2,071$10,108Storm Events does not record earthquakes.
13WildfireVery LowVery Low$3,889$24$642$4,5541
14HurricaneVery LowVery Low$423$879under $1$1,3030No recorded events in Storm Events since 1996 (data through 2026-06-30).

Total = buildings + agriculture + population equivalence; FEMA values each expected death (or 10 injuries) at $13.7 million (2024 dollars).

NRI risk rating combines expected annual loss with social vulnerability and community resilience; EAL rating rates expected annual loss alone. Both compare this county with all U.S. counties.

Local data needed: state and local landslide records (Storm Events records this hazard only in part).

Not applicable to this county per NRI, with no federal declaration and no Storm Events record since 1996: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami and volcanic activity. That is the evidence for leaving them out of the plan.

The state hazard mitigation plan also lists hazards for this county; FEMA asks the plan to explain any hazard it leaves out.

Supports FEMA checklist item B1-b: hazard location

Affects the whole county (national data give no location within it): Cold Wave, Drought, Hail, Heat Wave, Ice Storm, Lightning, Strong Wind and Winter Weather.

Inland Flooding: The FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is the required location source for flooding. See the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (https://msc.fema.gov) for this county.

Hazards that vary within the county: highest-rated census tracts

Source: 5

HazardHighest-rated census tractsNRI risk rating, score 0 to 100
Earthquaketract 9604 (Very Low, 13.4); tract 9603 (Very Low, 10.7); tract 9601 (Very Low, 10.6)
Hurricanetract 9602 (Very Low, 26.9); tract 9603 (Very Low, 26.0); tract 9601 (Very Low, 25.3)
Landslidetract 9602 (Relatively High, 99.9); tract 9607 (Relatively High, 99.8); tract 9601 (Relatively High, 99.8)
Tornadotract 9601 (Relatively High, 90.0); tract 9602 (Relatively High, 89.8); tract 9604 (Relatively High, 88.6)
Wildfiretract 9602 (Relatively Low, 68.9); tract 9601 (Very Low, 68.5); tract 9606 (Very Low, 66.2)

Up to 3 census tracts per hazard, highest National Risk Index rating first, then highest score; a tract number is the Census tract number (for example 9604 is Census Tract 9604). FEMA's Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool maps the National Risk Index for every tract: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/resilience-analysis-and-planning-tool

Supports FEMA checklist item B1-c: hazard extent

Extent: scale, observed range and worst recorded event per hazard

Sources: 6, 7

HazardScaleRecordscount and yearsObserved rangeWorst recorded eventMost damaging (when different)How it applies to jurisdictionsNote
Cold/Wind Chill, Extreme Cold/Wind Chillwind chill20 records, 1996 to 2026 (20 zone-level)1 day to 7 days (median 2 days); 18 with a recorded value7 consecutive days, 1996-01-29 to 1996-02-04, zone-levelCountywide (zone-level records).
Frost/Freeze (outside NRI's Cold Wave definition)crop damage1 record, 2010 (1 zone-level)Frost/Freeze, 2010-05-09, $2,000 crop damage (2010 dollars); NWS zone WIZ053Countywide (zone-level records).
DroughtU.S. Drought Monitor scale (D0 to D4)19 records, 2012 to 2024 (19 zone-level)15 days to 158 days (median 92 days); 5 with a recorded value158 days (about 5.2 months), 2023-06-27 to 2023-12-01, a run of 7 consecutive Storm Events drought records, zone-levelCountywide (zone-level records).Storm Events enters a drought at D2 or worse east of the Rockies and D3 or worse from the Rockies west (NWS Instruction 10-1605); NRI drought counts D3 and D4 only.
EarthquakeModified Mercalli (local data)0Storm Events does not record earthquakes; the USGS earthquake catalog is the source.
Hailhail size (inches)151 records, 1961 to 20260.75 in to 2.75 in (median 1 in); 151 with a recorded value2.75 in hail, 2026-04-14; same size also recorded on 1984-09-24, 2026-04-14Event records naming jurisdictions in the plan: Hillsboro city (15 records), Hillsboro town (15 records), Viroqua city (15 records), Viroqua town (15 records), Stoddard village (14 records), Genoa town (10 records), Genoa village (10 records), De Soto village (8 records), Westby city (8 records), La Farge village (7 records); and 5 more jurisdictions (see the Excel file).
Excessive Heat, Heatheat index (in event narratives)13 records, 1999 to 2026 (13 zone-level)1 day to 9 days (median 2.5 days); 12 with a recorded value9 consecutive days, 2001-07-31 to 2001-08-08, zone-levelExcessive Heat, 2011-07-17, $8,000 property; $0 crops (zone total, 2011 dollars)Countywide (zone-level records).
Hurricane, Tropical Storm, Tropical DepressionSaffir-Simpson0Storm Events files every zone of a storm's episode under the storm's type; flooding from the storm is filed as Flood or Flash Flood records.
Ice StormSperry-Piltz ice scale (local data)4 records, 1996 to 2009 (4 zone-level)Ice Storm, 1998-01-04, $18,000 property; crops not reported (1998 dollars); NWS zone WIZ053Countywide (zone-level records).
Flash Flood, Flood, Lakeshore Flooddamage and flood days (flood depth: FIRM)155 records, 1996 to 2024 (4 zone-level)Flash Flood, 2007-08-18, $28,200,000 property; $500,000 crops (2007 dollars)Event records naming jurisdictions in the plan: Readstown village (21 records), La Farge village (18 records), Ontario village (16 records), Stoddard village (9 records), Genoa town (7 records), Genoa village (7 records), Viroqua city (7 records), Viroqua town (7 records), Chaseburg village (5 records), Liberty town (3 records); and 5 more jurisdictions (see the Excel file). Zone-level records (4) apply countywide.Flood depth: see the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. Storm Events damage is often $0 or blank for floods, major ones included; FEMA Public Assistance by declaration (B1-d) shows which floods cost the most.
Debris Flownone (count and damage only)0
Lightningannualized frequency (the measure FEMA's Local Mitigation Planning Handbook names)4 records, 2010 to 2019Lightning, 2010-08-13, $490,000 property; $0 crops (2010 dollars)Event records naming jurisdictions in the plan: Westby city (1 record).Storm Events lists lightning with damage or casualties.
High Wind and Strong Wind (outside NRI's Strong Wind definition)wind speed (kt and mph)8 records, 1997 to 2022 (8 zone-level)42 kt (48 mph) to 62 kt (71 mph) (median 50 kt (58 mph)); 8 with a recorded value62 kt (71 mph), measurement type not recorded, High Wind, 1998-11-10, 1 direct death (reported for the zone); NWS zone WIZ053Countywide (zone-level records).
Thunderstorm Windwind speed (kt and mph)214 records, 1962 to 202635 kt (40 mph) to 78 kt (90 mph) (median 52 kt (60 mph)); 178 with a recorded value78 kt (90 mph), measurement type not recorded, Thunderstorm Wind, 1983-07-19Thunderstorm Wind, 1998-06-27, $200,000 property; $33,000 crops (1998 dollars)Event records naming jurisdictions in the plan: Viroqua city (29 records), Viroqua town (29 records), Hillsboro city (18 records), Hillsboro town (18 records), Stoddard village (18 records), Westby city (17 records), Genoa town (10 records), Genoa village (10 records), De Soto village (9 records), Ontario village (9 records); and 5 more jurisdictions (see the Excel file).
TornadoEnhanced Fujita (Fujita before Feb 2007)25 records, 1957 to 2026F/EF0 to F/EF3 (median F/EF1); 25 with a recorded valueF3 tornado, 1980-06-05, 26.9 mi path length (whole path, pre-1996), 33 yd wide, $2,500,000 property; crops not recorded (1980 dollars), 1 direct injuryEvent records naming jurisdictions in the plan: Chaseburg village (1 record), La Farge village (1 record), Liberty town (1 record), Westby city (1 record).Before 1996 a tornado is listed once, under the county where it began, with its whole path's rating and length; from 1996 on, each county lists its own segment. Length is not used to rank tornadoes (see Methods).
Wildfireacres burned (local data)1 record, 2010 (1 zone-level)Wildfire, 2010-04-19, $1,000 property; $0 crops (2010 dollars); NWS zone WIZ053Countywide (zone-level records).
Winter Storm, Heavy Snow, Blizzard, Lake-Effect Snow, Winter Weather, Sleetnone in data (snowfall: local data)97 records, 1996 to 2026 (97 zone-level)Winter Weather, 2019-04-10, $170,000 property; $0 crops (2019 dollars); NWS zone WIZ053Countywide (zone-level records).

Where a hazard names more than 10 jurisdictions, the table lists the 10 with the most records; every one is in the Excel file, sheet "B1-c Extent".

In event narratives only (local data needed): wind chill, temperature, heat index, ice thickness, acres burned and snow depth; any physical measure of debris flow and lightning.

Storm Events records are more complete after 1996; before 1996 only Tornado (from 1950), Hail and Thunderstorm Wind (from 1955) exist. Zone-level records from zones that no NWS zone-county file places in this county (mostly before 2020) are not counted here (the Methods page explains the zone matching).

Dollars are nominal (as reported), labeled with the year; not adjusted for inflation.

Supports FEMA checklist item B1-d: previous occurrences

Federal declarations for this county: 23 declarations covering 20 separate hazard incidents counted in this packet (declarations for the same incident count once; non-natural and evacuation-only declarations are not counted).

Federal disaster declarations for this county

Sources: 1, 2, 3

DeclaredIncident beganFEMA numberTypeTitleMapped hazardCounty Public Assistancefederal share obligated, nominal dollarsFlagsNotes
2026-06-302026-04-13DR-4923-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingInland Flooding (primary); also designated: Tornado$15,615.75new since last plan; within last 5 years
2020-04-042020-01-20DR-4520-WIMajor disasterCOVID-19 PandemicNon-natural, not counted$688,230.69
2020-03-132020-01-20EM-3454-WIEmergencyCOVID-19Non-natural, not countedno Public Assistance recordedsame incident as DR-4520
2019-08-272019-07-18DR-4459-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and FloodingInland Flooding (primary); also designated: Strong Wind, Tornado$461,444.27
2018-10-182018-08-17DR-4402-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and LandslidesInland Flooding (primary); also designated: Landslide, Strong Wind, Tornado$5,338,905.55
2017-10-072017-07-19DR-4343-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and MudInland Flooding; Landslide; Strong Wind$678,189.70
2016-10-202016-09-21DR-4288-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Flooding, and MudslidesInland Flooding (primary); also designated: Landslide$3,558,487.25
2013-08-082013-06-20DR-4141-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Flooding, and MudslidesInland Flooding; Landslide$471,081.81
2008-06-142008-06-05DR-1768-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingInland Flooding; Tornado$3,974,823.43
2007-08-262007-08-18DR-1719-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms and FloodingInland Flooding$4,548,919.90
2005-09-132005-08-29EM-3249-WIEmergencyHurricane Katrina EvacuationHurricane: evacuation support, not a local hazard event; not countedno Public Assistance recorded
2004-06-182004-05-07DR-1526-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms and FloodingInland Flooding$916,485.76
2001-05-112001-04-10DR-1369-WIMajor disasterFlooding, Severe Storms and TornadoesInland Flooding (primary); also designated: Tornado, Winter Weather$229,831.77
2000-06-242000-05-26DR-1332-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and FloodingInland Flooding; Tornado$2,102,329.38
1998-07-241998-06-18DR-1236-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms,Straigh Line Winds, Tornadoes,Rain,and FloodiInland Flooding; Tornadono Public Assistance recorded
1993-07-021993-06-07DR-994-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Tornadoes & FloodingInland Flooding; Tornadono Public Assistance recorded
1992-09-301992-09-14DR-964-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms & FloodingInland Floodingno Public Assistance recorded
1990-07-131990-06-22DR-874-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Tornadoes & FloodingInland Flooding; Tornadono Public Assistance recorded
1978-07-071978-07-07DR-559-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Flooding, Hail & TornadoesHail; Inland Flooding; Tornadono Public Assistance recorded
1976-06-171976-06-17EM-3014-WIEmergencyDroughtDroughtno Public Assistance recorded
1976-03-231976-03-23DR-496-WIMajor disasterSevere Storms, Icing, Wind & FloodingInland Floodingno Public Assistance recorded
1969-05-011969-05-01DR-260-WIMajor disasterFloodingInland Floodingno Public Assistance recorded
1965-04-211965-04-21DR-192-WIMajor disasterTornadoes, Severe Storms & FloodingTornado (primary); also designated: Inland Floodingno Public Assistance recorded

County Public Assistance: applicants the FEMA record places in this county, including any state agencies FEMA files there; statewide rows are listed on the state page; federal share obligated, nominal dollars.

Public Assistance not placed in any Wisconsin county: 1 row, $87,788.41; listed on the Wisconsin state page.

Source: 3

Previous occurrences by hazard, with explicit no-event rows

Sources: 2, 6, 7

HazardStorm Events records, all years on file(years in the Period column)Since plan approvalrecordsIn the 12 months before plan approvalrecordsLast 5 yearsrecordsDeclared incidents, all yearsseparate disastersDeclared since approvalseparate disastersPeriodStatement
Cold Wave21415001996 to 2026-06-30Includes 1 Frost/Freeze record.
Drought195712101996 to 2026-06-30
Earthquake000000Storm Events does not record earthquakes; the USGS earthquake catalog is the source.
Hail15118121101955 to 2026-06-30
Heat Wave13213001996 to 2026-06-30
Hurricane0000001996 to 2026-06-30No recorded events, 1996 to 2026-06-30, NOAA NCEI Storm Events
Ice Storm4000001996 to 2026-06-30
Inland Flooding1554261911996 to 2026-06-30
Landslide0000401996 to 2026-06-30No Storm Events records of this type; 4 federal declared incidents (see declarations table)
Lightning4000001996 to 2026-06-30
Strong Wind22212227301955 to 2026-06-30Includes 6 High Wind and 2 Strong Wind records.
Tornado252031111950 to 2026-06-30
Wildfire1000001996 to 2026-06-30
Winter Weather9712821101996 to 2026-06-30

Notable Storm Events records

Sources: 1, 6, 7

DateEvent typeMagnitude or extentDamagenominal dollarsDeaths, injuriesdirect onlyLocationFlagsWhy listed
2026-04-14Hail2.75 in$26,700,000 property; $0 crops (2026 dollars)0, 0EASTONnew since last plan; within last 5 yearsB1-c worst recorded: Hail
2021-02-06Cold/Wind Chill$0 property; $0 crops (zone total, 2021 dollars)1, 0NWS zone WIZ053 (VERNON), zone-leveldeaths or injuries recorded
2019-03-29Flood$0 property; $0 crops (2019 dollars)1, 0VICTORYdeaths or injuries recorded
2016-09-22Flood$986,000 property; $0 crops (2016 dollars)1, 0VIROQUA MUNI ARPT to VICTORYdeaths or injuries recorded
2010-08-13Lightning$490,000 property; $0 crops (2010 dollars)0, 0SPRINGVILLEB1-c worst recorded: Lightning
2010-05-09Frost/Freeze$0 property; $2,000 crops (zone total, 2010 dollars)0, 0NWS zone WIZ053 (VERNON), zone-levelB1-c worst recorded: Frost/Freeze
2007-08-18Flash Flood$28,200,000 property; $500,000 crops (2007 dollars)0, 0STODDARDB1-c worst recorded: Flash Flood, Flood, Lakeshore Flood
2001-07-31Heatdamage not reported0, 0NWS zone WIZ053 (VERNON), zone-levelB1-c worst recorded: Excessive Heat, Heat
1998-11-10High Wind62 kt (71 mph), measurement type not recorded$150,000 property; crops not reported (zone total, 1998 dollars)1, 0NWS zone WIZ053 (VERNON), zone-levelB1-c worst recorded: High Wind and Strong Wind
1996-01-29Cold/Wind Chilldamage not reported0, 0NWS zone WIZ053 (VERNON), zone-levelB1-c worst recorded: Cold/Wind Chill, Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
1983-07-19Thunderstorm Wind78 kt (90 mph), measurement type not recordeddamage not recorded (pre-1996 record)0, 0location not recordedB1-c worst recorded: Thunderstorm Wind
1980-06-05TornadoF3, 26.9 mi path length (whole path, pre-1996), 33 yd wide$2,500,000 property; crops not recorded (1980 dollars)0, 1location not recordedB1-c worst recorded: Tornado

The full list is in the Excel file, sheet "B1-d Storm Events history" (712 rows).

Location is the place NOAA recorded, as written in its data; it need not be a jurisdiction in this plan.

1 Fire Management declaration (1980-04-24 to 1980-04-24) FEMA filed as Statewide with no county; each names one local fire. Listed on the state page.

Local data needed: state-declared emergencies, from your state emergency management agency (federal data do not include them).

Tribal and special-area declarations in this state are listed on the state page.

Supports FEMA checklist item B1-e: probability of future events

Probability: FEMA annualized frequency and descriptor per hazard

Sources: 5, 6

HazardFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)unit per rowUnitIn plain termsDescriptorDescriptor basisNRI events or days in its record period (hail, wind and tornado are area-weighted, so can be fractional)NRI periodLocationNote
Cold Wave6.79event-days per yearabout 6.79 days per yearLikelyStorm Events event-days in 12 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (40%)1292005-11-12 to 2024-11-12 (19 years)countywide
Drought5.05event-days per yearabout 5.05 days per yearLikelyStorm Events event-days in 5 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (16.7%)2382000 to 2025 (25.25 years; D3 and D4 only)countywide
Earthquake0.000353annual probability at a locationchance a given location in the county has at least minor-damage shaking in a year: 0.0353%not shownmodeledsee B1-fNo descriptor (Storm Events does not record earthquakes).
Hail3.57events per yearabout 3.57 per yearHighly likelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)136.0 (modeled)1986 to 2023 (38 years)countywide
Heat Wave3.63event-days per yearabout 3.63 days per yearLikelyStorm Events event-days in 9 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (30%)542005-11-12 to 2024-11-12 (19 years)countywide
Hurricane0.00698events per yearabout 1 in 143 yearsUnlikelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)21851 to 2024 (Atlantic)see B1-fNRI counts hurricane and tropical storm tracks passing within storm-force wind range; federal declarations are in B1-d.
Ice Storm0.189event-days per yearabout 0.189 days per yearLikelyStorm Events event-days in 4 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (13.3%)131946-12-31 to 2014-02-12 (67 years)countywide
Inland Flooding2.61event-days per yearabout 2.61 days per yearLikelyStorm Events event-days in 22 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (73.3%)731996 to 2023 (28 years)see B1-f
Landslide1.17events per year (modeled)about 1.17 per yearHighly likelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)not shownmodeledsee B1-f
Lightning36.4days per year with a strikeabout 36.4 days per yearHighly likelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)not shown1995 to 2023 (29 years; CONUS)countywide
Strong Wind3.18events per yearabout 3.18 per yearHighly likelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)1211986 to 2023 (38 years)countywide
Tornado0.378events per yearabout 1 in 3 yearsLikelyFEMA annualized frequency (modeled)not shown1950 to 2023 (EF2+); 1986 to 2023 (EF0-1)see B1-f
Wildfire0.0000713annual probability at a locationchance a given location in the county burns in a year: 0.00713%PossibleStorm Events records in 1 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (3.33%)not shownmodeledsee B1-f
Winter Weather16.3event-days per yearabout 16.3 days per yearHighly likelyStorm Events event-days in 29 of 30 years, 1996 to 2025 (96.7%)3102005-11-12 to 2024-11-12 (19 years)countywide

FEMA annualized frequency (modeled) is the National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025) estimate of how often a hazard affects this county in a year; it is not recorded events divided by years, and its unit differs by hazard (events, event-days, or days with a lightning strike per year). For earthquake, wildfire, coastal flooding and tsunami the value is the chance (or number of events) at a location in the county, not across the county, so no "1 in N years" is given and the descriptor comes from Storm Events where it has a record (none for earthquake). The Methods page gives each hazard's method, from FEMA's National Risk Index Technical Documentation v1.20.

Where NRI gives event-days, the descriptor comes from the share of years with a Storm Events record; NRI's source records more events, so the two differ.

Descriptor scale used in this packet (defined per unit)

Sources: 5, 6

UnitDescriptorDefinition
events per yearHighly likely1 or more per year
events per yearLikelyabout once in 1 to 10 years
events per yearPossibleabout once in 10 to 100 years
events per yearUnlikelyless than once in 100 years
annual probabilityLikely10% to under 100% chance in a given year
annual probabilityPossible1% to under 10% chance in a given year
annual probabilityUnlikelyunder 1% chance in a given year
event-days (share of years)Highly likelyevent-days recorded in 90% or more of years
event-days (share of years)Likelyevent-days recorded in 10% to under 90% of years
event-days (share of years)Possibleevent-days recorded in some years but under 10% of years
lightning strike-daysHighly likelycloud-to-ground strikes on 1 or more days per year

Intensity bands: historical frequency (Storm Events)

Source: 6

HazardBandYearsEventscounty-coded recordsYears in periodEvents per yearevents / years
Hail1.00-1.99 in1996 to 202563302.1
Hail2.00 in+1996 to 20251300.0333
Thunderstorm Wind (counted as NRI Strong Wind)50-64 kt1996 to 2025144304.8
Thunderstorm Wind (counted as NRI Strong Wind)65 kt+1996 to 20257300.233
Thunderstorm Wind (counted as NRI Strong Wind)unmeasured or below 50 kt1996 to 202521300.7
TornadoEF0-11996 to 20259300.3
TornadoEF2-31996 to 20251300.0333
TornadoEF4-51996 to 20250300
Tornadounrated (EFU)1996 to 20250300

The bands show how often events of each severity were recorded in this county, to profile how severe events have been (FEMA's probability item asks for the range of intensities).

Hail smaller than 1 inch is not counted: on 2010-01-05 the National Weather Service raised its severe-hail threshold from 3/4 inch to 1 inch, so smaller reports became less common after 2009 (NWS Service Change Notice 09-52). NRI hail frequency uses a 0.75 inch threshold.

Optional: future conditions. Not a required item in the 2025 FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide; some states ask for it. The federal Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA) site gives county exposure to future climate conditions (https://resilience.climate.gov/).

Supports FEMA checklist item B1-f: hazards that vary across jurisdictions

Range of census tract risk within the county

Source: 5

HazardTractsrated of allNRI risk score, 0 to 100Tracts by rating
MinMedianMax
Cold Wave7 of 799.099.799.8Very High 7
Drought7 of 783.387.991.2Relatively Low 7
Earthquake7 of 75.49.713.4Very Low 7
Hail7 of 794.194.996.6Relatively High 7
Heat Wave7 of 765.080.884.5Relatively High 2, Relatively Moderate 5
Hurricane7 of 719.025.026.9Very Low 7
Ice Storm7 of 755.664.977.6Relatively Moderate 3, Relatively Low 4
Inland Flooding7 of 748.092.196.7Very High 1, Relatively High 5, Relatively Low 1
Landslide7 of 793.599.899.9Relatively High 5, Relatively Moderate 1, Relatively Low 1
Lightning7 of 745.361.466.3Relatively Moderate 6, Relatively Low 1
Strong Wind7 of 790.195.796.8Very High 1, Relatively High 6
Tornado7 of 776.588.290.0Relatively High 7
Wildfire7 of 750.964.968.9Relatively Low 1, Very Low 6
Winter Weather7 of 755.065.771.1Relatively Moderate 7

Drought: Agriculture is all of NRI's expected annual loss for this hazard in the county, so the tract range mostly reflects where crop and livestock value is.

Rated tracts only: No Rating (score 0.0), Not Applicable and Insufficient Data tracts are counted but not used for the minimum, median and maximum.

The score ranks a tract against all U.S. tracts (100 = highest). The rating is FEMA's category for the tract's risk value, computed differently, so the two can disagree.

Frequency data for cold wave, drought, hail, heat wave, ice storm, lightning, strong wind and winter weather are county-wide or coarse (49 km grid or NWS zone), the same for every jurisdiction; the tract range mostly reflects where buildings and people are (crop and livestock value where a line above names agriculture).

Each jurisdiction (starting figures from federal data)

Sources: 1, 3, 4, 6

JurisdictionTypePlan statusRepetitive lossFMA RL and SRL (44 CFR 77.2); repeat-flood, any definitionPublic Assistance to this jurisdictionFEMA records matched by applicant name; federal share obligated, nominal dollarsEvent records naming this placeall years; since its planNotes
Vernon CountyCountyApproved, expires 2028-12-04FMA RL 0, SRL 1; any 11$695,730.690 total; 0 since its planIncludes $688,230.69 for declarations not counted as hazard incidents (DR-4520-WI).
Chaseburg villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-12-04FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 1$296,865.7012 total; 0 since its plan
Coon Valley villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-12-04FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$911,626.192 total; 0 since its plan
De Soto villageVillageApproved, expires 2030-04-13FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$160,389.3419 total; 1 since its planAlso approved under plan 109429 (Vernon County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan, expires 2028-12-04). FEMA's plan status map shows one plan per jurisdiction and may show one of these; this packet uses the approved plan that expires last.
Genoa villageVillagePlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleFMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$157,010.2927 total; no approved plan
Hillsboro cityCityPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleFMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 3$99,932.2934 total; no approved plan
La Farge villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-12-04FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 2$119,064.7934 total; 1 since its plan
Ontario villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-12-04FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 1$852,834.2629 total; 0 since its plan
Readstown villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-12-04FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 2$224,655.8932 total; 0 since its plan
Stoddard villageVillagePlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligibleFMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$79,117.5441 total; no approved plan
Viola villageVillageApproved, expires 2028-04-03FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 3$272,172.972 total; 0 since its planWhole community, including the part in Richland County; in-county portion (county table): FMA RL 0, FMA SRL 0, NFIP RL 1, NFIP SRL 0, any category 1.
Viroqua cityCityApproved, expires 2028-12-04FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$125,226.4151 total; 0 since its plan
Westby cityCityApproved, expires 2028-12-04FMA RL 0, SRL 0; any 0$93,839.0928 total; 2 since its plan
Bergen townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04$918,697.190 total; 0 since its planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Christiana townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$465,148.430 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Clinton townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04no Public Assistance recorded0 total; 0 since its planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Coon townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04$295,510.580 total; 0 since its planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Forest townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04$836,860.300 total; 0 since its planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Franklin townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04$973,083.070 total; 0 since its planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Genoa townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$1,546,855.2427 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Greenwood townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$259,477.810 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Hamburg townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$621,583.250 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Harmony townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04$1,227,425.740 total; 0 since its planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Hillsboro townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04$130,612.9634 total; 3 since its planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Jefferson townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$675,328.070 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Kickapoo townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$759,121.240 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Liberty townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04$106,170.628 total; 1 since its planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Stark townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$304,746.660 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Sterling townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04$945,330.400 total; 0 since its planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Union townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$501,028.230 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Viroqua townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$493,407.8851 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Webster townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$1,063,817.100 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Wheatland townTownPlan 109429 approved 2023-12-05, pending adoption here; not yet eligible$804,974.730 total; no approved planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.
Whitestown townTownApproved, expires 2028-12-04$487,631.140 total; 0 since its planNo NFIP community ID on this jurisdiction's plan row.

Repetitive-loss counts are for whole NFIP communities, which can extend beyond this county (see the note in B2-c).

School districts and special districts get a plan clock row only.

County Public Assistance in B1-d also includes applicants filed under the county that are not jurisdictions in this plan (for example state agencies, special districts and nonprofits), so the jurisdiction rows add up to less.

Supports FEMA checklist items B2-a and B2-b: vulnerability and potential impacts

Local data needed

The table below gives county-level starting figures; the plan describes impacts for each jurisdiction and its own assets.

  • Critical facilities and lifelines per hazard
  • A problem statement per jurisdiction per hazard
  • Changes in development in hazard-prone areas since the last approval, or a statement of none (E1-a)
  • Future assets

County-level starter: exposure, expected annual loss and damage since the plan

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

HazardBuilding exposuremodeled dollarsAgriculture exposuremodeled dollarsPopulation exposedpeopleEAL buildingsmodeled dollars per yearEAL agriculturemodeled dollars per yearCost of expected deaths and injuriesFEMA's dollar value per year, not property damageEAL as % of exposurebuildings; agriculture where notedStorm Events damage since 2023-12-05county-coded records, property plus crops, nominal dollarsZone-level damage since planproperty plus crops, reported for the zonePublic Assistance since plannominal dollars; see noteNote
Cold Wave$8,141,646,330$233,732,80130,574$152$27,496$9,963,968under 0.0001%$0
Droughtn/a$53,751,548n/an/a$69,036n/a0.128% (agriculture)$0NRI has no building exposure for this hazard; agriculture shown
Earthquake$13,230,581,257n/a30,714$8,037n/a$2,071under 0.0001%
Hail$8,141,646,330$233,732,80130,574$782,760$206,175$64,3190.00961%$26,700,000
Heat Wave$8,141,646,330$233,732,80130,574$421$3$586,578under 0.0001%$0
Hurricane$8,137,075,569$230,964,29930,561$423$879under $1under 0.0001%
Ice Storm$8,122,737,557n/a30,542$1,225n/a$57,717under 0.0001%
Inland Flooding$8,137,866,427$11,733,946567$8,401,203$558,801$804,862n/a (see note)$50,000$15,615.75NRI counts the full building value of any census block with some flood loss; this is not the value of buildings in the floodplain. Use local FIRM overlays for B2-a/B2-b.
Landslide$736,286,829n/a2,746$13,605n/a$978,5710.00185%
Lightning$8,141,646,330n/a30,574$30,497n/a$59,1710.000375%
Strong Wind$8,141,646,330$233,732,80130,574$138,126$20,002$685,0000.0017%$289,000
Tornado$8,141,646,330$233,732,80130,574$947,343$6,829$893,3600.0116%$1,000$15,615.75
Wildfire$1,075,478,490$44,934,3745,504$3,889$24$6420.000362%
Winter Weather$8,141,646,330$233,732,80130,574$7,872$1,543$18,918under 0.0001%$9,000

Totals since 2023-12-05 (Storm Events through 2026-06-30): 36 county-coded records, 36 with a damage value recorded (including $0), $27,040,000; 23 zone-level records, 23 with a damage value recorded (including $0), $9,000 reported for the zone; Public Assistance: $15,615.75 on 1 counted declaration.

FEMA does not split Public Assistance by hazard. A declaration mapped to several hazards is listed under each of them with its full amount, so the per-hazard column does not add up to the total; the unit total counts each declaration once.

NRI computes earthquake exposure on its own basis, so it exceeds the county building value in B2-a.

Supports FEMA checklist item B2-a: vulnerability (county context)

County context

Source: 5

MeasureValue
Population30,574
Building value (total, not at risk)$8,141,646,330
Agriculture value (total, not at risk)$233,732,801
NRI risk rating (all hazards)Relatively Low
Expected annual loss, buildings and agriculture, all hazards$11,226,339
Expected annual loss, population equivalence, all hazards (NRI values each statistical life at $13.7M; a modeled value of expected deaths and injuries, not property damage)$14,115,178
Social vulnerability ratingRelatively High
Community resilience ratingRelatively High
NRI versionDecember 2025

FEMA's all-hazard expected annual loss adds buildings, agriculture and population equivalence; this table gives the property part and the population-equivalence part as separate rows.

Social vulnerability: higher means people are more likely to be harmed and slower to recover. Community resilience: lower means the community is less able to recover. High social vulnerability and low resilience both raise the NRI risk rating.

Supports FEMA checklist item B2-c: repetitive loss properties

Repetitive loss in this county, both definitions

Sources: 1, 4

DefinitionPropertiesSevere repetitive lossProperties
Repetitive loss, FMA definition (44 CFR 77.2)0Severe repetitive loss, FMA definition (44 CFR 77.2)1
Repetitive loss, NFIP insurance definition21Severe repetitive loss, NFIP insurance definition1

The state NFIP coordinator's list, the source FEMA's Handbook names, often uses the NFIP insurance definition (second row).

Repeat-flood properties: county and state-level rows

Sources: 1, 4

ScopeRL, FMApropertiesSRL, FMApropertiesRL, NFIPpropertiesSRL, NFIPpropertiesAny categorypropertiesMitigatedpropertiesCurrently insuredproperties
County total012112104
of which: Vernon County (unincorporated area)011111101
of which: Chaseburg village0010100
of which: Hillsboro city0030300
of which: La Farge village0020201
of which: Ontario village0010100
of which: Readstown village0020202
of which: Viola village0010100
Statewide, no county in FEMA's file0020200

The statewide row counts properties FEMA's file gives with no county in this state; they are listed for reference and are not in this county's counts.

Repeat-flood properties by jurisdiction in the plan (NFIP community)

Sources: 1, 4

JurisdictionNFIP community IDRL, FMApropertiesSRL, FMApropertiesRL, NFIPpropertiesSRL, NFIPpropertiesAny categorypropertiesMitigatedpropertiesCurrently insuredpropertiesNote
Vernon County550450011111101
Chaseburg village5504510010100
Coon Valley village5504520000000
De Soto village5500690000000
Genoa village5555560000000
Hillsboro city5504550030300
La Farge village5504560020201
Ontario village5504570010100
Readstown village5504580020202
Stoddard village5555820000000
Viola village5504600030301Whole community, including the part in Richland County; in-county portion (county table): FMA RL 0, FMA SRL 0, NFIP RL 1, NFIP SRL 0, any category 1.
Viroqua city5505900000000
Westby city5505490000000

Counts by occupancy group for each jurisdiction are in the Excel file, sheet "B2-c Jurisdictions".

Jurisdiction rows are whole NFIP communities and need not add up to the county total: a community that extends into another county is counted in full on each jurisdiction row, while the county table counts only its part in this county.

County repeat-flood properties by occupancy group

Sources: 1, 4

Occupancy groupRL, FMApropertiesSRL, FMApropertiesRL, NFIPpropertiesSRL, NFIPpropertiesAny categorypropertiesMitigatedpropertiesCurrently insuredproperties
single-family residential011111102
2 to 4 unit residential0010101
other residential0000000
non-residential0090901
not reported0000000

FEMA's occupancy groups have no institutional class; institutional properties are counted in non-residential or other residential in the table by occupancy group.

FMA RL and FMA SRL are the Flood Mitigation Assistance definitions (44 CFR 77.2), the ones the FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide cites. NFIP repetitive loss (the FEMA insurance definition) is 2 or more claims over $1,000 in 10 years, and a property can leave that group once it is mitigated. Also shown: NFIP severe repetitive loss, any category, mitigated and currently insured. The Methods page gives the OpenFEMA field details.

Counts are aggregates of FEMA's public NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (FEMA's data date 2026-08-02; file version 2026-08-04). No property is identified. County assignment is FEMA's geocode.

In this county 0 properties are FMA repetitive loss but not NFIP repetitive loss, and 21 properties are NFIP repetitive loss but not FMA repetitive loss.

Exact counts; no count suppression.

Sources

Tables cite these sources by number. The full list, for the plan's bibliography (FEMA review item A4-a):

  1. FEMA, OpenFEMA HazardMitigationPlanStatuses v1, version 2026-09-29T134039Z, pulled 2026-09-30, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/HazardMitigationPlanStatuses (API)
  2. FEMA, OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, version 2026-09-29T162832Z, pulled 2026-09-30, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v2/DisasterDeclarationsSummaries (API)
  3. FEMA, OpenFEMA PublicAssistanceFundedProjectsSummaries v1, version 2026-09-29T150754Z, pulled 2026-09-30, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/PublicAssistanceFundedProjectsSummaries (API)
  4. FEMA, OpenFEMA NfipMultipleLossProperties v1, version 2026-08-04T164045Z, pulled 2026-09-30, https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v1/NfipMultipleLossProperties (API)
  5. FEMA, FEMA National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025), county and census tract tables, version 1.20.0, pulled 2026-09-30, https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_Counties.zip (download, 25 MB), https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/openfema/nri/v120/NRI_Table_CensusTracts.zip (download, 635 MB)
  6. NOAA NCEI, NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, details files (csvfiles v1.0), version c20260918, pulled 2026-09-30, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/
  7. NOAA National Weather Service, NWS county-public forecast zones correlation file, version bp03mr20 to bp16ap26 (11 files; newest bp16ap26), pulled 2026-09-30, https://www.weather.gov/gis/ZoneCounty
  8. U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2024 Gazetteer, 2020 place by county, CT county-to-cousub crosswalk, version 2024-gazetteer, pulled 2026-09-30, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_counties_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_cousubs_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_place_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_unsd_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_elsd_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_Gaz_scsd_national.zip, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes2020/national_place_by_county2020.txt, https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/ct_change/ct_cou_to_cousub_crosswalk.xlsx (used to match place names and codes; no table prints its values)

What this packet is and what the plan adds

This packet is the federal data for the plan's risk assessment (the summary on page 1 says how it is organized); the plan and FEMA's review decide whether each item is met.

The plan adds what only the community has: local data on assets, critical facilities, development and each jurisdiction's impacts; local hazard history, including state-declared emergencies; the mitigation strategy; and adoption.

How the federal data are built: National Risk Index values are FEMA's model, not counts of events. Storm Events is more complete from 1996; zone-level records are placed by forecast zone, not by location in the county. Public Assistance for a jurisdiction is matched by applicant name. The Methods page gives every rule and the known edge cases.

OpenFEMA disclaimer

This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Reuse, citation and corrections

Reuse and citation: Hazard Plain text and tables are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); credit Hazard Plain and the release. The underlying federal data are public domain; OpenFEMA data are also subject to the OpenFEMA terms and conditions.

Cite this: Hazard Plain (2026). Vernon County, WI: risk-assessment baseline packet, release 2026-10 (data as of 2026-09-30; County FIPS 55123). Automated baseline. https://hazardplain.org/wi/55123/ Built from FEMA OpenFEMA, the FEMA National Risk Index and NOAA NCEI Storm Events; source versions in the packet's Sources list.

Corrections: to report an error, name the packet, the table and what your records show. Contact: contact@hazardplain.org