Wisconsin´s Floodplain Management

The goal of Wisconsin´s Floodplain Management Program is to protect people and their property from unwise floodplain development, and to protect society from the costs which are associated with developed floodplains (see below for examples).

Through floodplain zoning, state and local governments regulate how development can actually occur within floodplains.

Under this program, Wisconsin´s counties, cities and villages are required to zone their flood-prone areas. The state has set minimum standards for local regulation, but local governments can set more restrictive standards.

Floods - The Most Costly Natural Disaster - the direct costs of floods include...

• Rescue and relief efforts
• Emergency preparedness
• Clean-up operations
• Rebuilding public utilities and facilities
• Rebuilding uninsured homes and businesses
• Temporary housing costs for flood victims

The indirect costs of floods include...

• Business interruptions and their loss of wages, sales and production
• Construction, operation and maintenance of flood control works
• Costs of loans for reconstructing damaged facilities
• Tax base declines in flood blight areas
• Subsidies for flood insurance

State Warning Center

1-800-943-0003
For reporting dam failures and other emergencies.

Related Sites

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Wisconsin Emergency Management
• Association of State Floodplain Managers
• More...