Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Berlin than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berlin gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #347 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 35 claims here since 1979.
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 Berlin 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
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 Berlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berlin, and Berlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #347 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Berlin’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Berlin has more expected damage per building than 96% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Berlin: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Berlin flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berlin, from FEMA’s records: 12.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $3K
Berlin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Green Lake County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Berlin
Disasters that paid out in Berlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Berlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$31K to the City of Berlin for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding93 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$422K to the City of Berlin for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
Green Lake County has had 6 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 Berlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berlin archive →Berlin and its neighbors
Berlin is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Berlin 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.
- 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 Berlin
Is Berlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berlin has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #347 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Berlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Berlin since 1979, $292K in all, or 12.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Berlin 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 Green Lake County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Berlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Berlin’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 Berlin?
By FEMA money that reached Berlin, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 93 households applied for aid, $92K approved, and $422K to the City of Berlin for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Berlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Berlin’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berlin’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.