Photo: Radon360 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Random Lake than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Random Lake gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (15%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Random Lake 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 Random Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Random Lake, and Random Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Random Lake’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $535K a year in losses across Random Lake: $352K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Random Lake flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Random Lake. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Random Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sheboygan County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Random Lake
Disasters that paid out in Random Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Random Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2000Snow$4K to the Village of Random Lake for repairs
Sheboygan County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Random Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Random Lake archive →Random Lake and its neighbors
Random Lake is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherman | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Random Lake | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Random Lake 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 Random Lake
Is Random Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Random Lake has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Random Lake 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 Sheboygan County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Random Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Random Lake’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 Random Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Random Lake, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 9 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Random Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Random Lake’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Random Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Random Lake’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.