Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Oak Creek faces less hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Creek gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #48 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1996.
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 Oak Creek’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oak Creek 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
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 Oak Creek’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oak Creek, and Oak Creek’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #48 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oak Creek’s residents live in 8 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, Oak Creek has less expected damage per building than 87% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.6M a year in losses across Oak Creek: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oak Creek flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oak Creek, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm4 claims · $157K
Oak Creek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Milwaukee County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oak Creek
Disasters that paid out in Oak Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oak Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding43 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides80 households applied for aid$286K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$88K to the City of Oak Creek for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding53 households applied for aid$172K aid approved$98K to the City of Oak Creek for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding268 households applied for aid$412K aid approved$200K to the City of Oak Creek for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$74K to the City of Oak Creek for repairs
Show all 9
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2000Snow$34K to the City of Oak Creek for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$181K to the City of Oak Creek for repairs
Milwaukee County has had 19 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 Oak Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oak Creek archive →Oak Creek and its neighbors
Oak Creek is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cudahy | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Franklin | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Oak Creek | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| South Milwaukee | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Caledonia | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| 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 Oak Creek 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.
- 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 Oak Creek
Is Oak Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Creek has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #48 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oak Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Oak Creek since 1996, $269K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (4).
Is Oak Creek 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 Milwaukee County, 76% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oak Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oak Creek’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 Oak Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Oak Creek, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 268 households applied for aid, $412K approved, and $200K to the City of Oak Creek for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 4 paid, $157K.
Is Oak Creek at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Oak Creek’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oak Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oak Creek’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.