Photo: self · CC BY-SA 2.5Less hazard damage per building is expected in Howards Grove than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Howards Grove gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #249 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Howards 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
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 Howards Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Howards Grove, and Howards Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
B #249 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Howards Grove’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Howards Grove has more expected damage per building than 69% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Howards Grove: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Howards Grove flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Howards Grove. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Howards Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sheboygan County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Howards Grove
Disasters that paid out in Howards Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Howards Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$33K to the Village of Howards Grove for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Snow$2K to the Village of Howards Grove for repairs
Sheboygan County has had 8 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 Howards Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Howards Grove archive →Get ready for what Howards 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.
- 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 Howards Grove
Is Howards Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Howards Grove has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #249 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (9%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Howards 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 Sheboygan County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Howards Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Howards Grove’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 Howards Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Howards Grove, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 3 households applied for aid, $1K approved, and $33K to the Village of Howards Grove for repairs.
Is Howards Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Howards Grove’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Howards Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Howards 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.