Photo: Mjrichter at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West Bend than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Bend gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #80 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1980.
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 West Bend 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 West Bend’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Bend, and West Bend’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 17% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A #80 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Bend’s residents live in 10 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 Bend has less expected damage per building than 78% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.0M a year in losses across West Bend: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Bend flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Bend, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Bend isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Bend
Disasters that paid out in West Bend itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Bend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides165 households applied for aid$804K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$80K to the City of West Bend for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding91 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$60K to the City of West Bend for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$69K to the City of West Bend for repairs
Washington County has had 11 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 West Bend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Bend archive →West Bend and its neighbors
West Bend is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 West Bend 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 West Bend
Is West Bend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Bend has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #80 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Bend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in West Bend since 1980, $15K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Bend 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 Washington County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Bend?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Bend’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 West Bend?
By FEMA money that reached West Bend, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 165 households applied for aid, $804K approved.
Is West Bend at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and West Bend’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Bend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Bend’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.