FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Mukwa as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mukwa gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #303 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 63 claims here since 1979.
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 Mukwa 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 Mukwa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mukwa, and Mukwa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #303 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mukwa’s residents live in 3 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, Mukwa has more expected damage per building than 84% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Mukwa: $985K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mukwa flood? Sometimes: 63 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mukwa, from FEMA’s records: 55.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding42 claims · $1.4M
Mukwa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waupaca County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Mukwa
Disasters that paid out in Mukwa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Mukwa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$8K to the Town of Mukwa for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Waupaca County has had 8 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 Mukwa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mukwa archive →Mukwa and its neighbors
Mukwa is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hortonia | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lebanon | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Royalton | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| New London | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
| Mukwa | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| Caledonia | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Weyauwega | — | 553 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Mukwa 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 Mukwa
Is Mukwa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mukwa has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #303 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mukwa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 63 claims in Mukwa since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 55.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (42).
Is Mukwa 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 Waupaca County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mukwa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mukwa’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 Mukwa?
By FEMA money that reached Mukwa, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $8K to the Town of Mukwa for repairs. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 42 paid, $1.4M.
Is Mukwa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Mukwa’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mukwa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mukwa’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.