Photo: I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following license: · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Brillion than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brillion gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #38 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hail (17%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1982.
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 Brillion 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
Hail
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 Brillion’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brillion, and Brillion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 17%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #38 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Brillion’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Brillion has less expected damage per building than 90% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Brillion: $686K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brillion flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brillion, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brillion isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calumet County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Brillion
Disasters that paid out in Brillion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brillion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
Calumet County has had 8 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 Brillion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brillion archive →Brillion and its neighbors
Brillion is 2nd of the 2 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 Brillion 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.
- 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.
- 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 Brillion
Is Brillion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brillion has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #38 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hail (17%). 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 Brillion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Brillion since 1982, $16K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Brillion 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 Calumet County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brillion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brillion’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 Brillion?
By FEMA money that reached Brillion, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 11 households applied for aid, $23K approved.
Is Brillion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Brillion’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brillion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brillion’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.