Photo: Jake DeGroot · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Appleton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Appleton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1997.
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 Appleton 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
Strong wind
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 Appleton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Appleton, and Appleton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Appleton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Appleton: $506K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Appleton flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Appleton, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Appleton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Swift County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Appleton
Disasters that paid out in Appleton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Appleton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$53K to the City of Appleton for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$79K to the City of Appleton for repairs
Swift County has had 15 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 Appleton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Appleton archive →Get ready for what Appleton 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Appleton
Is Appleton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Appleton has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Appleton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Appleton since 1997, $87K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Appleton 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 Swift County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Appleton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Appleton’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 Appleton?
By FEMA money that reached Appleton, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $79K to the City of Appleton for repairs.
Is Appleton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Appleton’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Appleton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Appleton’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.