FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Wheatland as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheatland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #319 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2017.
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 Wheatland 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 Wheatland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wheatland, and Wheatland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Lightning adds 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #319 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wheatland’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, Wheatland has more expected damage per building than 88% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Wheatland: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wheatland flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wheatland, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding4 claims · $142K
Wheatland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kenosha County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wheatland
Disasters that paid out in Wheatland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wheatland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$475K to the Town of Wheatland for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides$24K to the Town of Wheatland for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$85K to the Town of Wheatland for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$87K to the Town of Wheatland for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$69K to the Town of Wheatland for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$25K to the Town of Wheatland for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$40K to the Town of Wheatland for repairs
Kenosha County has had 13 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 Wheatland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wheatland archive →Wheatland and its neighbors
Wheatland is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randall | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Burlington | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Wheatland | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Bohners Lake | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Wheatland 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 Wheatland
Is Wheatland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheatland has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #319 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (9%). 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 Wheatland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Wheatland since 2017, $405K in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (4).
Is Wheatland 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 Kenosha County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wheatland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wheatland’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 Wheatland?
By FEMA money that reached Wheatland, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2016): $475K to the Town of Wheatland for repairs. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 4 paid, $142K.
Is Wheatland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Wheatland’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wheatland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wheatland’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.