On FEMA’s figures, Black Wolf faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black Wolf gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2004.
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 Black Wolf 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 Black Wolf’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Black Wolf, and Black Wolf’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Black Wolf’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Black Wolf: $718K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Black Wolf flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Black Wolf, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Black Wolf isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winnebago County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Black Wolf
Disasters that paid out in Black Wolf itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Black Wolf), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of Black Wolf for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$9K to the Town of Black Wolf for repairs
Winnebago County has had 8 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 Black Wolf after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Black Wolf archive →Black Wolf and its neighbors
Black Wolf is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calumet | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Oshkosh | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Brothertown | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Nekimi | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Black Wolf | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Friendship | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Oshkosh | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
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 Black Wolf 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 Black Wolf
Is Black Wolf at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black Wolf has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (12%). 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 Black Wolf flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Black Wolf since 2004, $12K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Black Wolf 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 Winnebago County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Black Wolf?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Black Wolf’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 Black Wolf?
By FEMA money that reached Black Wolf, Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2001): $9K to the Town of Black Wolf for repairs.
Is Black Wolf at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Black Wolf’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Black Wolf.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Black Wolf’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.