Capt. Alexander A. Arnold Farm · Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Galesville as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galesville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Galesville 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 Galesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Galesville, and Galesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Galesville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Galesville: $643K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Galesville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Galesville, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $8K
Galesville 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Galesville
Disasters that paid out in Galesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Galesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud$76K to the City of Galesville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Galesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Galesville archive →Get ready for what Galesville 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 Galesville
Is Galesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galesville has higher expected damage per building than 58% 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 Galesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Galesville since 2017, $16K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Galesville 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 Galesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Galesville’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 Galesville?
By FEMA money that reached Galesville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud (2017): $76K to the City of Galesville for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Galesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Galesville’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Galesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Galesville’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.