Middleton, WI
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Middleton is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Dane County, WI. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, hail, and tornado.
Storm events near Middleton
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Middleton's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Middleton itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Dane County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Middleton along with the rest of the county, not a Middleton-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 60.2 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 94.3 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 70.7 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 95.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 97.6 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 99 | Very High |
| Drought | 39.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 98.9 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 29.2 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 83.4 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 89.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 90.4 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 92.5 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 93.6 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Dane County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Dane County:
More on Dane County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Middleton, WI at risk of?
Middleton is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Dane County, where Middleton is located, are cold wave, hail, and tornado.
What is Middleton's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Dane County, where Middleton is located, scoring 99 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Middleton a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Middleton carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Dane County.
Has Middleton had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 13 tornado, 228 hail, 41 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Middleton since 2016.