Photo: Awkwafaba · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Pewaukee than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pewaukee gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #47 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
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 Pewaukee 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 Pewaukee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pewaukee, and Pewaukee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #47 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pewaukee’s residents live in 12 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, Pewaukee has less expected damage per building than 87% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Pewaukee: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pewaukee flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pewaukee, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pewaukee 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pewaukee
Disasters that paid out in Pewaukee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pewaukee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides48 households applied for aid$128K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding200 households applied for aid$236K aid approved$210K to the City of Pewaukee for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$18K to the City of Pewaukee 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 Pewaukee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pewaukee archive →Pewaukee and its neighbors
Pewaukee has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. 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 |
| Waukesha | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Pewaukee | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Brookfield | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Menomonee Falls | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Lisbon | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Delafield | — | not graded yet | |
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 Pewaukee 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 Pewaukee
Is Pewaukee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pewaukee has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #47 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pewaukee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Pewaukee since 2017, $3K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pewaukee 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 Pewaukee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pewaukee’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 Pewaukee?
By FEMA money that reached Pewaukee, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 200 households applied for aid, $236K approved, and $210K to the City of Pewaukee for repairs.
Is Pewaukee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Pewaukee’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pewaukee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pewaukee’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.