Over the years, Wisconsin communities have implemented successful hazard mitigation projects. The projects were designed to help decrease the impacts from future events. The following articles demonstrate how mitigation programs can be applied to local communities to help reduce the risks from natural hazards.

Educational Mitigation

• Milwaukee County - Flood Proofing Video 1997 (pdf)

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Flood Mitigation

• Black River Falls, City of - Freeboard Saves Additional Loss (pdf)
• Cambria, Village of - Cambria Dam (pdf)
• Clover, Town of - Culvert (pdf)
• Crawford County - Highway Shop Relocation (2000) (pdf)
• Darlington, City of - Downtown Retrofit (FEMA) (pdf)
• Darlington, City of - Downtown Retrofit (WEM) (pdf)
• Eau Claire, City of - Chippewa River Acquisitions (2001) (pdf)
• Gays Mills, Village of - Home Elevation 2007 (pdf)
• Jefferson County - Blackhawk Island Acquisitions (pdf)
• Kenosha County - Fox River Acquisitions (FEMA) 2008 (pdf)
• Kenosha County - Fox River Acquisitions (WEM) (pdf)
• Lakeside, Town of - Flood Insurance to the Rescue 2012 (pdf)
• Monroe, City of - Retention/Detention Basins (pdf)
• Oliver, Village of - Slump Forces Owners Out of Home 2012 (pdf)
• Pierce County - Trenton Island Acquisitions (pdf)
• Soldiers Grove, Village of - Long-Term Benefits of Relocation (pdf)
• Soldiers Grove, Village of - Village Relocation 1978 (pdf)
• Superior, City of - Improved Sewer System Prevents Damages 2012 (pdf)
• Thiensville, Village of - Channelization Project (pdf)

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Loss Avoidance Studies

In response to past flooding in Milwaukee County, local governments within the county acquired and demolished 54 repetitively damaged properties. FEMA partnered with the State of Wisconsin to complete a loss avoidance study. Five project areas were studied: the City of Wauwatosa, two areas in the City of Milwaukee, and the villages of Brown Deer and Oak Creek.

• Evaluating Losses Avoided Through Acquisition Projects, Wisconsin Property Acquisitions, October 2010 (pdf)

Because of frequent flooding in Wisconsin, a number of flood mitigation projects involving acquisition/demolition have been implemented in recent years along the Rock, Fox, and Kickapoo Rivers. To evaluate the mitigation projects for cost-effectiveness, FEMA partnered with the State to conduct a loss avoidance study. The intent of the study was to compare the losses avoided in all floods since the implementation of the mitigation projects to the cost of the mitigation projects.

• Loss Avoidance Study: Wisconsin Property Acquisition and Structure Demolition, September 2009

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Planning Mitigation

• Clark County - Teamwork Gives Rise to Comprehensive All Hazards Mitigation Plan (pdf)

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Severe Weather/Tornado/Wind Mitigation

• Bayfield County - Generator (pdf)
• Juneau County - Providing Shelter from the Storm (pdf)
• Oakfield, Village of - Middle School Reconstruction 1996 (pdf)
• Portage County - Weather Radios (pdf)

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FEMA Mitigation Best Practices

Throughout the country, many individuals, businesses, and communities have been taking action to prevent disaster damages. To see how others are protecting their lives and property visit  FEMA's Mitigation Best Practices Portfolio.