FEMA puts Appleton City’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Appleton City gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 City 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 Appleton City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Appleton City, and Appleton City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Appleton City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $734K a year in losses across Appleton City: $379K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Appleton City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Appleton City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Appleton City
Disasters that paid out in Appleton City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Appleton City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the City of Appleton City for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$8K to the City of Appleton City for repairs
St. Clair County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Appleton City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Appleton City archive →Get ready for what Appleton City 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 Appleton City
Is Appleton City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Appleton City has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (6%). 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.
Is Appleton City 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.
How much is flood insurance in Appleton City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Appleton City’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 City?
By FEMA money that reached Appleton City, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2002): $8K to the City of Appleton City for repairs.
Is Appleton City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Appleton City’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Appleton City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Appleton City’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.