South Milwaukee Post Office · Photo: Freekee · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, South Milwaukee faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Milwaukee gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #74 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2010.
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 South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Milwaukee, and South Milwaukee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A #74 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Milwaukee’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, South Milwaukee has less expected damage per building than 80% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across South Milwaukee: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Milwaukee flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Milwaukee, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Milwaukee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Milwaukee County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Milwaukee
Disasters that paid out in South Milwaukee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Milwaukee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding57 households applied for aid$82K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides109 households applied for aid$319K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$45K to the City of South Milwaukee for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding98 households applied for aid$250K aid approved$155K to the City of South Milwaukee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding397 households applied for aid$415K aid approved$168K to the City of South Milwaukee for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$39K to the City of South Milwaukee for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Snow$18K to the City of South Milwaukee for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$24K to the City of South Milwaukee for repairs
Milwaukee County has had 19 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 South Milwaukee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Milwaukee archive →South Milwaukee and its neighbors
South Milwaukee is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee
Is South Milwaukee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Milwaukee has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #74 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Milwaukee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in South Milwaukee since 2010, $9K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee County, 76% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Milwaukee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Milwaukee’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 South Milwaukee?
By FEMA money that reached South Milwaukee, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 397 households applied for aid, $415K approved, and $168K to the City of South Milwaukee for repairs.
Is South Milwaukee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and South Milwaukee’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Milwaukee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Milwaukee’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.