Florence Town Hall · Photo: TheCatalyst31 · CC0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Florence than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Florence gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hail (14%). 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 Florence 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
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 Florence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Florence, and Florence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 14% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Florence’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Florence: $730K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Florence flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Florence. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Florence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Florence County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Florence
Disasters that paid out in Florence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Florence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 1999Wi-flood-07/20/99$115K to the Town of Florence for repairs
Florence County has had 3 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 Florence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Florence archive →Florence and its neighbors
Florence 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Stambaugh Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Breitung Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Aurora | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mastodon Township | — | 721 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Commonwealth | — | 512 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Fern | — | 212 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Tipler | — | 285 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Long Lake | — | 170 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Fence | — | 259 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 Florence 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.
- 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 Florence
Is Florence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Florence has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Florence 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 Florence County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Florence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Florence’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 Florence?
By FEMA money that reached Florence, Wi-flood-07/20/99 (1999): $115K to the Town of Florence for repairs.
Is Florence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Florence’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Florence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Florence’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.