Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0Lake Mills’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Mills gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (22%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Lake Mills faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Lake Mills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Mills, and Lake Mills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lake Mills’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Lake Mills: $835K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Mills flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Lake Mills. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Lake Mills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winnebago County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake Mills
Disasters that paid out in Lake Mills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lake Mills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$6K to the City of Lake Mills for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$13K to the City of Lake Mills for repairs
- 2007Snow$3K to the City of Lake Mills for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$5K to the City of Lake Mills for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$7K to the City of Lake Mills for repairs
Winnebago County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Lake Mills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Mills archive →Get ready for what Lake Mills faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lake Mills
Is Lake Mills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Mills has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (22%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Lake Mills in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Winnebago County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Lake Mills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Mills’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lake Mills?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Mills, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2004): 25 households applied for aid, $29K approved, and $7K to the City of Lake Mills for repairs.
Is Lake Mills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Lake Mills’ rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Mills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Mills’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.