Oehler Mill Complex · Photo: Jeff the quiet · CC0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Shelby than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelby gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #339 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Shelby 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
Hail
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 Shelby’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shelby, and Shelby’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #339 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shelby’s residents live in 7 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, Shelby has more expected damage per building than 94% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Shelby: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shelby flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shelby, from FEMA’s records: 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $1K
Shelby isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: La Crosse County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shelby
Disasters that paid out in Shelby itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Shelby), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$11K to the Town of Shelby for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides$343K to the Town of Shelby for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud$528K to the Town of Shelby for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$51K to the Town of Shelby for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$85K to the Town of Shelby for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$454 aid approved$224K to the Town of Shelby for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$3K to the Town of Shelby for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
La Crosse County has had 15 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 Shelby after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shelby archive →Shelby and its neighbors
Shelby is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medary | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| La Crosse | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Greenfield | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Shelby | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Bergen | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hokah Township | — | 378 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hamburg | — | not graded yet | |
| Brownsville Township | — | 443 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Shelby 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.
- 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.
- 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 Shelby
Is Shelby at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelby has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #339 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hail (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shelby flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Shelby since 1978, $514K in all, or 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Shelby 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 La Crosse County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shelby?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shelby’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 Shelby?
By FEMA money that reached Shelby, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud (2017): $528K to the Town of Shelby for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Shelby at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Shelby’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shelby.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shelby’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.