Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Salem Church · Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainFor tornadoes, Wakefield’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wakefield gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (16%). 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 Wakefield 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
Wildfire
Hail
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 Wakefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wakefield, and Wakefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wakefield’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Wakefield: $785K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wakefield flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Wakefield. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Wakefield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dixon County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wakefield
Disasters that paid out in Wakefield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wakefield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Winter Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$8K to the City of Wakefield for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$914 to the City of Wakefield for repairs
Dixon County has had 16 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 Wakefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wakefield archive →Get ready for what Wakefield 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Wakefield
Is Wakefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wakefield has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Wakefield 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 Dixon County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wakefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wakefield’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 Wakefield?
By FEMA money that reached Wakefield, Severe Storms, Winter Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2013): $8K to the City of Wakefield for repairs.
Is Wakefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Wakefield’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wakefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wakefield’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.