Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Onalaska than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Onalaska gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #560 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2014.
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 Onalaska 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
Hurricanes
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 Onalaska’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Onalaska, and Onalaska’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #560 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Onalaska’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Onalaska has more expected damage per building than 87% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Onalaska: $910K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Onalaska flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Onalaska, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Texas Spring Flooding1 claim · $158K
Onalaska isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Onalaska
Disasters that paid out in Onalaska itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Onalaska), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl605 households applied for aid$841K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding184 households applied for aid$587K aid approved$157K to the City of Onalaska for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms112 households applied for aid$114K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda1 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey211 households applied for aid$132K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike654 households applied for aid$766K aid approved$61K to the City of Onalaska for repairs
Show all 8
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$9K to the City of Onalaska for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,330 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$24K to the City of Onalaska for repairs
Polk County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Onalaska after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Onalaska archive →Get ready for what Onalaska 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Onalaska
Is Onalaska at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Onalaska has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #560 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Onalaska flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Onalaska since 2014, $212K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Texas Spring Flooding (1).
Is Onalaska 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 Polk County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Onalaska?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Onalaska’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 Onalaska?
By FEMA money that reached Onalaska, Hurricane Rita (2005): 1,330 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $24K to the City of Onalaska for repairs. By flood claims, Texas Spring Flooding: 1 paid, $158K.
Is Onalaska at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Onalaska’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Onalaska.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Onalaska’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.