On FEMA’s figures, Salem Lakes faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem Lakes gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #310 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims 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 Salem Lakes 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 Salem Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem Lakes, and Salem Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Lightning adds 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #310 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salem Lakes’ residents live in 4 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, Salem Lakes has more expected damage per building than 86% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Salem Lakes: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salem Lakes flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding4 claims · $164K
Salem Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kenosha County.The storms Salem Lakes remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Kenosha County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Salem Lakes itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20178 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20264 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared for Kenosha County
- 20191 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Kenosha County has had 13 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 Salem Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem Lakes archive →Salem Lakes and its neighbors
Salem Lakes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brighton | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Paddock Lake | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Randall | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Salem Lakes | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Antioch Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 249 |
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 Salem Lakes 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 Salem Lakes
Is Salem Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #310 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salem Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Salem Lakes since 2017, $444K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (4).
Is Salem Lakes 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 Kenosha County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salem Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salem Lakes’ 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 Salem Lakes?
By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 4 paid, $164K.
Is Salem Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Salem Lakes’ rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem Lakes’ 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.