Pilgrim Family Farmstead · Photo: Chris Rand · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than West Kewaunee, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Kewaunee gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (16%). 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 West Kewaunee 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 Kewaunee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Kewaunee, and West Kewaunee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Kewaunee’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $520K a year in losses across West Kewaunee: $294K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Kewaunee flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in West Kewaunee. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
West Kewaunee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kewaunee County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to West Kewaunee
Disasters that paid out in West Kewaunee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Kewaunee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Snow$896 to the Town of West Kewaunee for repairs
Kewaunee County has had 5 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 Kewaunee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Kewaunee archive →West Kewaunee and its neighbors
West Kewaunee is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montpelier | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Kewaunee | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Carlton | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Kewaunee | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Casco | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pierce | — | 905 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 West Kewaunee 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 Kewaunee
Is West Kewaunee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Kewaunee has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is West Kewaunee 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 Kewaunee County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in West Kewaunee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Kewaunee’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 Kewaunee?
By FEMA money that reached West Kewaunee, Snow (2000): $896 to the Town of West Kewaunee for repairs.
Is West Kewaunee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and West Kewaunee’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Kewaunee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Kewaunee’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.