Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Clintonville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clintonville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #85 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1979.
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 Clintonville 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 Clintonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clintonville, and Clintonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A #85 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clintonville’s residents live in 2 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, Clintonville has less expected damage per building than 77% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Clintonville: $764K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clintonville flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clintonville, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding2 claims · $135K
Clintonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waupaca County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clintonville
Disasters that paid out in Clintonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clintonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$27K to the City of Clintonville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$52K to the City of Clintonville for repairs
Waupaca County has had 8 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 Clintonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clintonville archive →Clintonville and its neighbors
Clintonville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Clintonville 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 Clintonville
Is Clintonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clintonville has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #85 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clintonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Clintonville since 1979, $231K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (2).
Is Clintonville 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 Waupaca County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clintonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clintonville’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 Clintonville?
By FEMA money that reached Clintonville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 10 households applied for aid, $32K approved, and $27K to the City of Clintonville for repairs. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 2 paid, $135K.
Is Clintonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Clintonville’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clintonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clintonville’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.