Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, West Allis faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Allis gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #44 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 stands out about West Allis’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Allis 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 West Allis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Allis, and West Allis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #44 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Allis’ residents live in 18 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, West Allis has less expected damage per building than 88% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.7M a year in losses across West Allis: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Allis flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Allis, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood8 claims · $179K
- The Storm7 claims · $65K
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $3K
West Allis 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 West Allis
Disasters that paid out in West Allis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Allis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding50 households applied for aid$124K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides517 households applied for aid$4.6M aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$96K to the City of West Allis for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding39 households applied for aid$98K aid approved$24K to the City of West Allis for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding209 households applied for aid$298K aid approved$67K to the City of West Allis for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$83K to the City of West Allis for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Snow$60K to the City of West Allis 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 West Allis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Allis archive →West Allis and its neighbors
West Allis is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Milwaukee | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| New Berlin | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| West Allis | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Greenfield | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Brookfield | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Milwaukee | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1,369 |
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 West Allis 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 West Allis
Is West Allis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Allis has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #44 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Allis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in West Allis since 1979, $342K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood (8).
Is West Allis 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 West Allis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Allis’ 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 West Allis?
By FEMA money that reached West Allis, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 517 households applied for aid, $4.6M approved. By flood claims, 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood: 8 paid, $179K.
Is West Allis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and West Allis’ rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Allis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Allis’ 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.