Photo: Loopygrumpkins · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Cedarburg than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedarburg gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #158 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1986.
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 Cedarburg 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 Cedarburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cedarburg, and Cedarburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #158 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cedarburg’s residents live in 6 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, Cedarburg has less expected damage per building than 57% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Cedarburg: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cedarburg flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cedarburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood1 claim · $3K
Cedarburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ozaukee County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cedarburg
Disasters that paid out in Cedarburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cedarburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$81K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$25K to the City of Cedarburg for repairs
- 2000Snow$10K to the City of Cedarburg for repairs
Ozaukee County has had 10 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 Cedarburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cedarburg archive →Cedarburg and its neighbors
Cedarburg is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Grafton | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Cedarburg | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Cedarburg | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Mequon | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 128 |
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 Cedarburg 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 Cedarburg
Is Cedarburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedarburg has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #158 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cedarburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Cedarburg since 1986, $6K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood (1).
Is Cedarburg 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 Ozaukee County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cedarburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cedarburg’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 Cedarburg?
By FEMA money that reached Cedarburg, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 8 households applied for aid, $81K approved. By flood claims, 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Cedarburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Cedarburg’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cedarburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cedarburg’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.