On FEMA’s figures, Three Lakes faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Three Lakes gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Three Lakes 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 Three Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Three Lakes, and Three Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Three Lakes’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Three Lakes: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Three Lakes flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Three Lakes. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Three Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oneida County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Three Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Three Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Three Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$9K to the Town of Three Lakes for repairs
- 1999Wi-flood-07/20/99$6K to the Town of Three Lakes for repairs
Oneida County has had 6 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 Three Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Three Lakes archive →Three Lakes and its neighbors
Three Lakes is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sugar Camp | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lincoln | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Three Lakes | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Hiles | — | 440 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Piehl | — | 76 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stella | — | 653 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 Three Lakes 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 Three Lakes
Is Three Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Three Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Three Lakes 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 Oneida County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Three Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Three Lakes’ 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 Three Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Three Lakes, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2000): $9K to the Town of Three Lakes for repairs.
Is Three Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Three Lakes’ rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Three Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Three Lakes’ 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.