Less hazard damage per building is expected in Wales than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wales gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #136 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (14%). 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 Wales 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
Hail
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 Wales’ grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wales, and Wales’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A #136 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wales’ residents live in 3 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, Wales has less expected damage per building than 63% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Wales: $698K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wales flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Wales. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Wales isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waukesha County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wales
Disasters that paid out in Wales itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Wales), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$11K to the Village of Wales for repairs
- 2000Snow$5K to the Village of Wales for repairs
Waukesha County has had 16 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 Wales after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wales archive →Wales and its neighbors
Wales has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wales | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Genesee | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Wales 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.
- 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.
- 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 Wales
Is Wales at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wales has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #136 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Wales 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 Waukesha County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wales?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wales’ 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 Wales?
By FEMA money that reached Wales, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 4 households applied for aid, $12K approved.
Is Wales at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Wales’ rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wales.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wales’ 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.