Photo: self · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Kiel than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kiel gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #91 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hail (18%). 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 Kiel 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
Hail
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 Kiel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kiel, and Kiel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 18%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #91 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kiel’s 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, Kiel has less expected damage per building than 75% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Kiel: $783K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kiel flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Kiel. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Kiel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Manitowoc County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Kiel
Disasters that paid out in Kiel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kiel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
Manitowoc County has had 6 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 Kiel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kiel archive →Kiel and its neighbors
Kiel is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Holstein | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Kiel | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Schleswig | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Kiel 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.
- 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.
- 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 Kiel
Is Kiel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kiel has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #91 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hail (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Kiel 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 Manitowoc County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kiel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kiel’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 Kiel?
By FEMA money that reached Kiel, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 26 households applied for aid, $30K approved.
Is Kiel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Kiel’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kiel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kiel’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.