Photo: SilentMatt Psychedelic · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Windham than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Windham gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Windham 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 Windham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Windham, and Windham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Windham’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $367K a year in losses across Windham: $319K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Windham flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Windham, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Windham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Portage County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Windham
Disasters that paid out in Windham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Windham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$854 aid approved
- 2003Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds31 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
Portage County has had 8 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 Windham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Windham archive →Windham and its neighbors
Windham has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windham | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Windham Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Windham 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 Windham
Is Windham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Windham has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) 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.
Does Windham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Windham since 2021, $16K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Windham 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 Portage County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Windham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Windham’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 Windham?
By FEMA money that reached Windham, Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds (2003): 31 households applied for aid, $56K approved.
Is Windham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Windham’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Windham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Windham’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.