Photo: AsherHeimermann · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Sheboygan’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheboygan gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #57 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1978.
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 Sheboygan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sheboygan, and Sheboygan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A #57 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sheboygan’s residents live in 13 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, Sheboygan has less expected damage per building than 84% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.0M a year in losses across Sheboygan: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sheboygan flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sheboygan, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding2 claims · $8K
Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan
Disasters that paid out in Sheboygan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sheboygan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding100 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$99K to the City of Sheboygan for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2000Snow$46K to the City of Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sheboygan archive →Sheboygan and its neighbors
Sheboygan has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan
Is Sheboygan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheboygan has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #57 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sheboygan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Sheboygan since 1978, $203K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (2).
Is Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sheboygan’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 Sheboygan?
By FEMA money that reached Sheboygan, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 100 households applied for aid, $50K approved, and $99K to the City of Sheboygan for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Sheboygan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Sheboygan’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sheboygan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sheboygan’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.