Photo: Freekee/Kevin Hansen · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Thiensville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thiensville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #344 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 58 claims here since 1979.
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 Thiensville 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
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 Thiensville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thiensville, and Thiensville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C #344 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Thiensville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Thiensville has more expected damage per building than 95% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Thiensville: $927K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Thiensville flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Thiensville, from FEMA’s records: 37.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm3 claims · $78K
Thiensville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ozaukee County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Thiensville
Disasters that paid out in Thiensville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Thiensville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$48K to the Village of Thiensville for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$77K to the Village of Thiensville for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$6K to the Village of Thiensville for repairs
Ozaukee County has had 10 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 Thiensville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thiensville archive →Get ready for what Thiensville 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.
- 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 Thiensville
Is Thiensville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thiensville has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #344 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Thiensville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in Thiensville since 1979, $646K in all, or 37.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (3).
Is Thiensville 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 Ozaukee County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Thiensville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thiensville’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 Thiensville?
By FEMA money that reached Thiensville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 8 households applied for aid, $13K approved, and $77K to the Village of Thiensville for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 3 paid, $78K.
Is Thiensville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Thiensville’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thiensville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thiensville’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.