FEMA puts Gibson’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gibson gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hail (11%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1990.
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 Gibson 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 Gibson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gibson, and Gibson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 11% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gibson’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $622K a year in losses across Gibson: $376K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gibson flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gibson, from FEMA’s records: 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding2 claims · $276K
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $13K
Gibson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Manitowoc County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Gibson
Disasters that paid out in Gibson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gibson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Snow$3K to the Town of Gibson for repairs
Manitowoc 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 Gibson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gibson archive →Gibson and its neighbors
Gibson is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooperstown | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gibson | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Mishicot | — | not graded yet | |
| Franklin | — | 843 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 Gibson 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 Gibson
Is Gibson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gibson has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hail (11%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gibson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Gibson since 1990, $313K in all, or 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Gibson 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 Manitowoc County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gibson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gibson’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 Gibson?
By FEMA money that reached Gibson, Snow (2000): $3K to the Town of Gibson for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $276K.
Is Gibson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Gibson’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gibson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gibson’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.