George Lawrence Jr. Clarke House · Photo: porterhse · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Butler than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Butler gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1980.
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 Butler 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 Butler’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Butler, and Butler’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Butler’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $646K a year in losses across Butler: $444K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Butler flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Butler, from FEMA’s records: 10.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Butler isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waukesha County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Butler
Disasters that paid out in Butler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Butler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides73 households applied for aid$479K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$5K to the Village of Butler for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$6K to the Village of Butler for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2000Snow$4K to the Village of Butler for repairs
Waukesha County has had 16 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 Butler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Butler archive →Butler and its neighbors
Butler has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Brookfield | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Menomonee Falls | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Milwaukee | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1,369 |
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 Butler 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 Butler
Is Butler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Butler has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Butler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Butler since 1980, $314K in all, or 10.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Butler 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 Waukesha County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Butler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Butler’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 Butler?
By FEMA money that reached Butler, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 73 households applied for aid, $479K approved.
Is Butler at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Butler’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Butler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Butler’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.