Photo: Shadowe · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Menomonee Falls than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Menomonee Falls gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #149 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1986.
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 stands out about Menomonee Falls’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Menomonee Falls 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 Menomonee Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Menomonee Falls, and Menomonee Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #149 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Menomonee Falls’ residents live in 9 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, Menomonee Falls has less expected damage per building than 59% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.7M a year in losses across Menomonee Falls: $8.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Menomonee Falls flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Menomonee Falls, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood24 claims · $1.8M
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $3K
- The Storm1 claim · $1K
Menomonee Falls 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 Menomonee Falls
Disasters that paid out in Menomonee Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Menomonee Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding99 households applied for aid$348K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides1,087 households applied for aid$7.2M aid approved24 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding87 households applied for aid$136K aid approved$48K to the Village of Menomonee Falls for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$46K to the Village of Menomonee Falls for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2000Snow$33K to the Village of Menomonee Falls 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 Menomonee Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Menomonee Falls archive →Menomonee Falls and its neighbors
Menomonee Falls is 6th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pewaukee | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Butler | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Brookfield | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Germantown | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Brookfield | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Menomonee Falls | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Lisbon | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lannon | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Milwaukee | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1,369 |
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 Menomonee Falls 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 Menomonee Falls
Is Menomonee Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Menomonee Falls has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #149 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Menomonee Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Menomonee Falls since 1986, $2.1M in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood (24).
Is Menomonee Falls 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 Menomonee Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Menomonee Falls’ 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 Menomonee Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Menomonee Falls, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 1,087 households applied for aid, $7.2M approved. By flood claims, 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood: 24 paid, $1.8M.
Is Menomonee Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Menomonee Falls’ rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Menomonee Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Menomonee Falls’ 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.