Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, New Berlin faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Berlin gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #38 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1984.
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 New Berlin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Berlin 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 New Berlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Berlin, and New Berlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #38 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Berlin’s residents live in 11 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, New Berlin has less expected damage per building than 90% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.2M a year in losses across New Berlin: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Berlin flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Berlin, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood17 claims · $1.1M
- The Storm4 claims · $40K
New Berlin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Waukesha County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Berlin
Disasters that paid out in New Berlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Berlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding44 households applied for aid$190K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides763 households applied for aid$4.4M aid approved17 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding126 households applied for aid$235K aid approved$187K to the City of New Berlin for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$66K to the City of New Berlin for repairs
- 2000Snow$28K to the City of New Berlin for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
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 New Berlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Berlin archive →New Berlin and its neighbors
New Berlin is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hales Corners | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| New Berlin | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| West Allis | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Greenfield | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Brookfield | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Brookfield | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Waukesha | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Muskego | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Vernon | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 New Berlin 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.
- New Berlin residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in New Berlin
Is New Berlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Berlin has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #38 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Berlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in New Berlin since 1984, $1.5M in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood (17).
Is New Berlin 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 New Berlin?
New Berlin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in New Berlin?
By FEMA money that reached New Berlin, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 763 households applied for aid, $4.4M approved. By flood claims, 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood: 17 paid, $1.1M.
Is New Berlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and New Berlin’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Berlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Berlin’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.