Photo: Patriarca12 · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West Milwaukee than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Milwaukee gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2025.
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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Milwaukee, and West Milwaukee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 22% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #1 of 362 in Wisconsin; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Milwaukee’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Milwaukee has less expected damage per building than 100% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across West Milwaukee: $471K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Milwaukee flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2025
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Milwaukee, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood1 claim · $50K
West Milwaukee 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Milwaukee
Disasters that paid out in West Milwaukee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of West Milwaukee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides25 households applied for aid$160K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$3K to the Village of West Milwaukee for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$6K to the Village of West Milwaukee for repairs
- 2000Snow$5K to the Village of West Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Milwaukee archive →West Milwaukee and its neighbors
West Milwaukee has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. 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 |
| West Allis | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
Is West Milwaukee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Milwaukee has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (22%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Milwaukee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in West Milwaukee since 2025, $50K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood (1).
Is West Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Milwaukee’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 Milwaukee?
By FEMA money that reached West Milwaukee, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides (2025): 25 households applied for aid, $160K approved. By flood claims, 2025-08-MilwaukeeMetro-Flood: 1 paid, $50K.
Is West Milwaukee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and West Milwaukee’s rate for it is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Milwaukee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Milwaukee’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.