On FEMA’s figures, Crescent faces less hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crescent gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Crescent 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 Crescent’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crescent, and Crescent’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crescent’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Crescent: $563K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crescent flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Crescent. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Crescent isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oneida County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crescent
Disasters that paid out in Crescent itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Crescent), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$3K to the Town of Crescent for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$22K to the Town of Crescent for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Crescent for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$6K to the Town of Crescent for repairs
Oneida County has had 6 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 Crescent after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crescent archive →Crescent and its neighbors
Crescent has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Rhinelander | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Newbold | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pelican | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Woodboro | — | 869 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Harrison | — | 872 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 Crescent 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 Crescent
Is Crescent at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crescent has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Crescent 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 Oneida County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Crescent?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crescent’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 Crescent?
By FEMA money that reached Crescent, Severe Winter Storms (2007): $22K to the Town of Crescent for repairs.
Is Crescent at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Crescent’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crescent.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crescent’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.