Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Depot · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Wheaton faces more hazard damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheaton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2001.
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 Wheaton 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
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 Wheaton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wheaton, and Wheaton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wheaton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Wheaton: $808K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wheaton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wheaton, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $14K
Wheaton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Traverse County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Wheaton
Disasters that paid out in Wheaton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wheaton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
Traverse County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Wheaton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wheaton archive →Get ready for what Wheaton 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.
- 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 Wheaton
Is Wheaton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheaton has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (8%). 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.
Does Wheaton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wheaton since 2001, $14K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Wheaton 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 Traverse County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wheaton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wheaton’s 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 Wheaton?
By FEMA money that reached Wheaton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 7 households applied for aid, $30K approved. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $14K.
Is Wheaton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Wheaton’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wheaton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wheaton’s 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.