Photo: Jasperthedog28 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Appleton faces less hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Appleton gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #20 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2007.
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
Hail
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 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Appleton, and Appleton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 14% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #20 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Appleton’s residents live in 28 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Appleton has less expected damage per building than 95% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.6M a year in losses across Appleton: $8.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Appleton flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Appleton, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $293
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: Outagamie 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.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding40 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Its 3 counties have had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 →Appleton and its neighbors
Appleton is 4th of the 10 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Chute | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Kimberly | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Little Chute | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Appleton | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Buchanan | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Center | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Freedom | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Harrison | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Fox Crossing | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Menasha | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Harrison | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #20 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Appleton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Appleton since 2007, $88K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
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 Outagamie County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% 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 Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 40 households applied for aid, $52K approved. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $293.
Is Appleton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Appleton’s rate for it is lower than 91% 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.