Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Cudahy, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cudahy gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #5 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1997.
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 Cudahy 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
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 Cudahy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cudahy, and Cudahy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #5 of 362 in Wisconsin; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cudahy’s residents live in 5 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, Cudahy has less expected damage per building than 99% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Cudahy: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cudahy flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cudahy, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cudahy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Milwaukee County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cudahy
Disasters that paid out in Cudahy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cudahy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding65 households applied for aid$182K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides108 households applied for aid$401K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding54 households applied for aid$89K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding213 households applied for aid$235K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$384 aid approved
Milwaukee County has had 19 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 Cudahy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cudahy archive →Cudahy and its neighbors
Cudahy is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Francis | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cudahy | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Oak Creek | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| South Milwaukee | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| 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 Cudahy 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.
- 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 Cudahy
Is Cudahy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cudahy has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #5 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cudahy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Cudahy since 1997, $93K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cudahy 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 Milwaukee County, 76% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cudahy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cudahy’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 Cudahy?
By FEMA money that reached Cudahy, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 108 households applied for aid, $401K approved.
Is Cudahy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Cudahy’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cudahy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cudahy’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.