(The Center Square) – Wisconsin has seen a series of large damage totals from flooding since 1997, with the largest being $49 million in flood insurance claims in 2008 along with $24 million in 2018.
Wisconsin Policy Forum released the data after last weekend’s Milwaukee flooding were some areas saw more than 14 inches of rain.
“Floods will continue to happen despite our best efforts, but local governments have some tools to help limit their impacts, including both stormwater infrastructure and management standards,” the report said. “Infrastructure can be expanded to handle increasing rainfall, but the fees that fund that construction would have to rise to cover the growing costs.”
Damage from the recent Milwaukee-area flooding could surpass the previous highs, the analysis said.
“These storms caused rivers and streams to overflow their banks and destroy buildings and infrastructure and caused flash floods, where water that flowed off of roofs and pavement inundated buildings, roads, and bridges built in low-lying areas,” the analysis said. “Current projections show a substantially increased likelihood of days with heavy rains over the next 20 years in most of the state, making spikes in property damage more likely to occur in the future.”
The 1997 and 1998 damage included destruction of more than 400 flood-insured primary residences in 1997 and another 350 the next year.
Severe storms have led to the most disaster declarations in the state but flooding is second, leading to $123.7 million in inflation adjusted payments since 1999.
There were $212.6 million in payments for severe storms during the same time frame.
One of the largest taxpayer costs related to flooding mitigation is stormwater management, with the report showing that costs are rising 2.6% per year. The spending goes toward toward pipes, detention ponds, seepage systems, wetlands and storage structures to limit flooding and how it impacts streams, rivers and lakes.
The costs come through stormwater impact fees charged to residents.
