Flood Risk in Milwaukee, WI: 2,374 FEMA Claims
Historical NFIP data for Milwaukee contains 2,374 claims. Among 28 ZIP codes with claim records, 46% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those claims. This is not current property-map coverage.
46% A/V-family among 28 claim-record ZIPs · 2,374 FEMA claims · Updated
Data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), FEMA Hazard Mitigation Last verified:
What are FEMA flood zones?
FEMA classifies properties into flood zones based on flood probability. The local percentage shown on this page comes only from rated-zone values recorded in historical NFIP claims and is not a complete current map inventory. Check a specific address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
How are flood insurance claims calculated?
The NFIP dataset records insurance claims and reported building, contents, and ICC payment components. A claim is an insurance record, not a one-to-one count of flood events or a current property-level risk classification.
Flood Risk Overview
Among ZIP codes with NFIP claim records in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 46% have an A- or V-family dominant recorded rated zone in those historical claims. This claims-only evidence is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory. A total of 2,374 flood insurance claims have been filed through NFIP. Reported building, contents, and ICC payment components sum to $27.6M across 1,903 claims with payment data. Another 471 claims lack reported payment fields; missing values are not counted as zero.
The average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum among claims with payment data is $15K.
Understanding Flood Zones
FEMA classifies areas into flood zones based on risk:
| Zone | Risk Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A, AE, AH, AO | High | 1% annual chance of flooding (100-year floodplain) |
| V, VE | Very High | Coastal areas with wave action |
| B, X (shaded) | Moderate | 0.2% annual chance (500-year floodplain) |
| C, X (unshaded) | Low | Minimal flood risk |
Important: Even "low risk" areas experience flooding. Over 40% of NFIP claims come from outside high-risk zones.
Flood Insurance in Milwaukee
Standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. Options include:
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Available through any insurance agent
- Maximum coverage: $250,000 for building, $100,000 for contents
- Average annual premium: $700–$1,500
- 30-day waiting period before coverage begins
Private Flood Insurance
- Often more coverage at lower premiums
- Faster claims processing
- May offer replacement cost coverage (NFIP pays actual cash value)
Required? If you have a federally backed mortgage and are in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), flood insurance is mandatory.
How Flooding Affects Drinking Water
Flooding poses direct threats to drinking water quality:
- Water treatment plant overflow - systems can be overwhelmed, leading to untreated or partially treated water
- Sewage contamination - floodwater mixes with sewage systems, introducing bacteria and pathogens
- Agricultural runoff - pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste enter water supplies
- Well contamination - private wells are especially vulnerable to floodwater infiltration
- Infrastructure damage - pipes can break, creating entry points for contaminants
After a flood event, always follow local boil water advisories and avoid using tap water until the all-clear is given.
FEMA Flood Map for Milwaukee
To check your exact flood zone designation in Milwaukee, use the official FEMA Flood Map Service Center:
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center - enter your address to see your flood zone
- FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer - interactive map viewer
Flood zone distribution of claims in Milwaukee:
| FEMA Zone | Claims | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| X | 485 | Moderate-Low |
| A06 | 443 | High (100-yr floodplain) |
| AE | 402 | High (100-yr floodplain) |
| C | 229 | Minimal |
| A09 | 166 | High (100-yr floodplain) |
| A05 | 134 | High (100-yr floodplain) |
NFIP Claims History
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total claims filed | 2,374 |
| Reported payment-component sum | $27.6M |
| Claims with payment data | 1,903 |
| Claims without payment fields | 471 |
| Average among claims with payment data | $15K |
| Claims in 2022 through 2026-07-27 | 276 |
| Recent reported payment-component sum | $11.0M |
| ZIP codes monitored | 42 |
| Population | 785,981 |
Among claims with known loss dates, 12% fall in the 2022 through 2026-07-27 window.
Financial Impact of Flooding in Milwaukee
Reported building, contents, and ICC payment components for Milwaukee sum to $27.6M across 1,903 claims with payment data. Payment fields are absent for 471 additional claims and are not treated as zero.
| Impact Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average reported component sum | $15K |
| Reported payment-component sum | $27.6M |
| Claims per 1,000 residents | 3.0 |
| Reported payment-component sum per capita | $35 |
Property value impact: Homes in FEMA-designated flood zones typically sell for 4–7% less than comparable homes outside flood zones. Mandatory flood insurance requirements add $700–$1,500/year in carrying costs.
Weather Alerts & Flood Warnings
The National Weather Service (NWS) issues flood watches and warnings for the Milwaukee area. Monitor these resources:
- NWS Weather Alerts - real-time severe weather alerts by location
- Weather.gov Wisconsin - state-level active alerts
- FEMA Emergency Alerts - IPAWS integrated alerts
Alert types for Milwaukee area:
| Alert Type | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Flood Watch | Flooding is possible | Prepare to move to higher ground |
| Flood Warning | Flooding is occurring or imminent | Take action immediately |
| Flash Flood Warning | Flash flooding within hours | Move to high ground now |
| Coastal Flood Advisory | Minor coastal flooding | Monitor conditions |
Set up Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone to receive automatic flood warnings for Milwaukee.
Protecting Your Home from Flooding
Before a flood:
- Know your flood zone - check FEMA's map
- Install sump pump with battery backup
- Elevate electrical systems, furnace, and water heater above potential flood levels
- Apply waterproof sealant to basement walls and floors
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear
During a flood:
- Move to higher ground immediately
- Do not walk or drive through floodwater
- Turn off utilities if instructed
- Monitor local emergency alerts
After a flood:
- Do not drink tap water until the boil water advisory is lifted
- Document damage with photos for insurance claims
- Watch for mold growth in the following weeks
- Have your water tested before resuming normal use
Flood Risk by ZIP Code
NFIP claim counts and recorded rated-zone values vary across Milwaukee's ZIP codes. The zone column is historical claims evidence, not a current map designation:
| ZIP Code | FEMA Claims | Reported Payment-Component Sum | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53218 | 886 | $5.2M | A06 |
| 53209 | 555 | $6.6M | X |
| 53217 | 260 | $1.9M | AE |
| 53216 | 190 | $817K | X |
| 53213 | 116 | $4.1M | A08 |
| 53223 | 57 | $2.7M | A09 |
| 53227 | 46 | $355K | AE |
| 53208 | 41 | $280K | A14 |
| 53222 | 34 | $1.2M | X |
| 53211 | 29 | $182K | X |
| 53215 | 25 | $105K | A |
| 53225 | 25 | $233K | C |
| 53226 | 20 | $1.6M | X |
| 53221 | 13 | $1.1M | AE |
| 53224 | 13 | $213K | X |
ZIP code 53218 has the most flood claims (886). Its reported building, contents, and ICC payment components sum to $5.2M across 708 claims with payment data.
ZIP Codes in Milwaukee
Milwaukee covers 42 ZIP codes. Flood risk varies by ZIP code based on elevation, proximity to water bodies, and drainage infrastructure. Check your specific ZIP code for detailed flood zone mapping.
Data Sources
- Flood claims: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Flood zones: FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Water quality impact: EPA Emergency Response guidance
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
Water Quality Map: Milwaukee, WI
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Flood Risk by ZIP Code in Milwaukee
Flood risk varies across Milwaukee's 42 ZIP codes based on elevation, proximity to water bodies, and drainage infrastructure.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53211 | C | 67/100 | 16 | View report → |
| 53217 | C | 67/100 | 17 | View report → |
| 53221 | B | 81/100 | 4 | View report → |
| 53202 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53203 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53204 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53205 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53206 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53207 | B | 83/100 | 1 | View report → |
| 53208 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53209 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53210 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53212 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53213 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53214 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53215 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53216 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53218 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53219 | B | 83/100 | 0 | View report → |
| 53220 | B | 83/100 | 2 | View report → |