Photo: The original uploader was Sulfur at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than St. Francis, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Francis gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #3 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (18%). 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 St. Francis 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 St. Francis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Francis, and St. Francis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #3 of 362 in Wisconsin; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Francis’ residents live in 2 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, St. Francis has less expected damage per building than 99% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across St. Francis: $676K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Francis flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in St. Francis. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
St. Francis 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Francis
Disasters that paid out in St. Francis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Francis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides50 households applied for aid$185K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding42 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
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 St. Francis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Francis archive →St. Francis and its neighbors
St. Francis has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 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 St. Francis 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 St. Francis
Is St. Francis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Francis has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #3 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is St. Francis 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 St. Francis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Francis’ 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 St. Francis?
By FEMA money that reached St. Francis, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 50 households applied for aid, $185K approved.
Is St. Francis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and St. Francis’ rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Francis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Francis’ 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.