DeForest, WI: what USGS's seismic model says

Under the seismic model IBC and ASCE 7 use for new construction, DeForest is Category B. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. That puts DeForest in the 18th percentile nationally for seismic hazard - higher than 18% of the 4,875 US cities USGS was checked against here.

How DeForest compares

USGS's underlying values for DeForest: 0.034g peak ground acceleration, 0.071g at short period, 0.046g at 1 second. Within Wisconsin alone, DeForest ranks 77 of 157 cities by seismic hazard - the 51th percentile in-state. DeForest has a population of about 12,260.

Retrofit economics for DeForest

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Wisconsin specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Wisconsin.

Earthquake insurance for a DeForest home

A DeForest homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where DeForest's figures come from

DeForest's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about DeForest.