On FEMA’s figures, Gale faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gale gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2017.
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 Gale 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 Gale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gale, and Gale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gale’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Gale: $651K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gale flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gale, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $8K
Gale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Trempealeau County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gale
Disasters that paid out in Gale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud$42K to the Town of Gale for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the Town of Gale for repairs
Trempealeau County has had 12 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 Gale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gale archive →Gale and its neighbors
Gale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holland | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gale | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Farmington | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ettrick | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Arcadia | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Trempealeau | — | not graded yet | |
| Caledonia | — | 912 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Gale 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 Gale
Is Gale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gale has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Gale since 2017, $22K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Gale 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 Trempealeau County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gale’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 Gale?
By FEMA money that reached Gale, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud (2017): $42K to the Town of Gale for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Gale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Gale’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gale’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.