Milwaukee, WI Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Milwaukee faces flooding from the Milwaukee River, Menomonee River, Kinnickinnic River, and Lake Michigan storm surge. Urban flooding from intense rainfall overwhelms the combined sewer system and causes widespread basement flooding.
Milwaukee County has recorded 2,423 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $27.7M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 5
NFIP Policies
1,606
Milwaukee County
Avg. Premium
$854/yr
Milwaukee County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Milwaukee County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $101.4M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $7K
Hurricane Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $5K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County has been included in 7 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Milwaukee County, including Milwaukee.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Milwaukee County
Properties in Milwaukee County have filed 2,423 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $27.7M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $11K.
Highest-Claim Years
1998
688 claims - $5.7M
1997
648 claims - $6.3M
2025
271 claims - $10.6M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Milwaukee County
Only roughly 1 in 231 households in Milwaukee County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.4% of estimated households). With 66 recorded flood events and $289.9M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.4%
roughly 1 in 231 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
2,423 claims over 45+ years across 1,606 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$11,441
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Milwaukee County has averaged 1.5 claims for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Milwaukee.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Milwaukee
Milwaukee faces multiple inland flood threats, including riverine flooding from nearby waterways and flash flooding from intense rainfall overwhelming urban drainage systems. Properties near river corridors face the highest risk, but stormwater backup can affect neighborhoods well outside the mapped floodplain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Milwaukee are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $101.4M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Milwaukee depend heavily on a property's elevation relative to nearby waterways and the local drainage infrastructure. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 prices in multiple inland flood sources rather than relying on the flood zone line alone. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood zone boundaries in Milwaukee can shift when FEMA updates its Flood Insurance Studies or when upstream development changes how water moves through the watershed. New stormwater infrastructure or dam modifications can also trigger map revisions. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Milwaukee address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County has 270 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 4 severe repetitive loss properties. 10 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
270
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
4
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
10
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 264 of 270 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Milwaukee County
NOAA has recorded 66 flood events in Milwaukee County since 1996, causing $289.9M in damage and 5 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Milwaukee County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 164 properties in Milwaukee County, investing $1.4M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Milwaukee, WI Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Milwaukee, WI?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Milwaukee are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Milwaukee?
If your Milwaukee property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Milwaukee?
Enter your Milwaukee address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
How high is flood risk in Milwaukee?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Milwaukee County (where Milwaukee is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $101.4M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Milwaukee experienced major flooding events?
Milwaukee County, where Milwaukee is located, has been part of 7 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Mudslides in 2025. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee County has recorded 2,423 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $27.7M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1998, with 688 claims and $5.7M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Milwaukee.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee County currently has 1,606 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $854. The most policies are in Zone X (1,040 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Milwaukee properties have flooded repeatedly?
Milwaukee County has 270 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 4 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Milwaukee property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Milwaukee?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Milwaukee's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Wisconsin Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Milwaukee, WI Address
Enter a Milwaukee, WI address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.