Photo: Gkowalski · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hales Corners than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hales Corners gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #38 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 2000.
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 Hales Corners 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 Hales Corners’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hales Corners, and Hales Corners’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #38 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hales Corners’ 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, Hales Corners has less expected damage per building than 90% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Hales Corners: $834K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hales Corners flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hales Corners, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood6 claims · $732K
- The Storm2 claims · $13K
Hales Corners 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hales Corners
Disasters that paid out in Hales Corners itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hales Corners), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides183 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Village of Hales Corners for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$43K to the Village of Hales Corners for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding69 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$61K to the Village of Hales Corners for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$6K to the Village of Hales Corners for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Snow$7K to the Village of Hales Corners for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$25K to the Village of Hales Corners for repairs
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 Hales Corners after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hales Corners archive →Hales Corners and its neighbors
Hales Corners is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| New Berlin | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Hales Corners | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Greenfield | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Greendale | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Hales Corners 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 Hales Corners
Is Hales Corners at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hales Corners has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #38 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hales Corners flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Hales Corners since 2000, $751K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood (6).
Is Hales Corners 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 Hales Corners?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hales Corners’ 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 Hales Corners?
By FEMA money that reached Hales Corners, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 183 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood: 6 paid, $732K.
Is Hales Corners at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Hales Corners’ rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hales Corners.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hales Corners’ 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.