FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Elm Grove than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elm Grove gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #191 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 41 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 stands out about Elm Grove’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elm Grove 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 Elm Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elm Grove, and Elm Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #191 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elm Grove’s residents live in 2 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, Elm Grove has more expected damage per building than 53% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Elm Grove: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elm Grove flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elm Grove, from FEMA’s records: 16.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood5 claims · $102K
- The Storm1 claim · $11K
Elm Grove is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Waukesha County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elm Grove
Disasters that paid out in Elm Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Elm Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides59 households applied for aid$277K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$97K aid approved$122K to the Village of Elm Grove for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$18K to the Village of Elm Grove for repairs
- 2000Snow$10K to the Village of Elm Grove 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 Elm Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elm Grove archive →Elm Grove and its neighbors
Elm Grove is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookfield | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Elm Grove | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
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 Elm Grove 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.
- Elm Grove residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Elm Grove
Is Elm Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elm Grove has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #191 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elm Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Elm Grove since 1997, $1.2M in all, or 16.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood (5).
Is Elm Grove 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 Elm Grove?
Elm Grove is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Elm Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Elm Grove, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 59 households applied for aid, $277K approved. By flood claims, 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood: 5 paid, $102K.
Is Elm Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Elm Grove’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elm Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elm Grove’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.