FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Crandon than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crandon gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2000.
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 Crandon 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
Hail
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 Crandon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crandon, and Crandon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 8% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crandon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Crandon: $363K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crandon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crandon, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Crandon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Forest County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Crandon
Disasters that paid out in Crandon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crandon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$29K to the City of Crandon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Forest County has had 4 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 Crandon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crandon archive →Crandon and its neighbors
Crandon is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 Crandon 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.
- 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.
- 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 Crandon
Is Crandon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crandon has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hail (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crandon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Crandon since 2000, $8K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Crandon 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 Forest County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crandon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crandon’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 Crandon?
By FEMA money that reached Crandon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2000): $29K to the City of Crandon for repairs.
Is Crandon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Crandon’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crandon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crandon’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.