Photo: Shadowe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hartland than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartland gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #159 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Hartland 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 Hartland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hartland, and Hartland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #159 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hartland’s residents live in 6 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, Hartland has less expected damage per building than 56% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Hartland: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hartland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hartland, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hartland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waukesha County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hartland
Disasters that paid out in Hartland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hartland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides34 households applied for aid$191K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$8K to the Village of Hartland for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$20K to the Village of Hartland for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$807 aid approved
- 2000Snow$8K to the Village of Hartland 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 Hartland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hartland archive →Hartland and its neighbors
Hartland is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Hartland 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 Hartland
Is Hartland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartland has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #159 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hartland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hartland since 2010, $29K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hartland 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 Hartland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hartland’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 Hartland?
By FEMA money that reached Hartland, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 34 households applied for aid, $191K approved.
Is Hartland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Hartland’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hartland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hartland’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.