Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in De Pere than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, De Pere gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #147 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (10%). 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 De Pere 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 De Pere’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in De Pere, and De Pere’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #147 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
De Pere’s residents live in 6 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, De Pere has less expected damage per building than 60% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.4M a year in losses across De Pere: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does De Pere flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in De Pere, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
De Pere isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brown County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to De Pere
Disasters that paid out in De Pere itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of De Pere), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$116K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Brown County has had 6 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 De Pere after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the De Pere archive →De Pere and its neighbors
De Pere is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashwaubenon | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Lawrence | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
| De Pere | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Rockland | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ledgeview | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Allouez | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 De Pere 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 De Pere
Is De Pere at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, De Pere has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #147 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does De Pere flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in De Pere since 2004, $19K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is De Pere 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 Brown County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in De Pere?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for De Pere’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 De Pere?
By FEMA money that reached De Pere, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): 29 households applied for aid, $116K approved.
Is De Pere at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and De Pere’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in De Pere.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where De Pere’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.