Photo: RyanRetza · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Grand Chute, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grand Chute gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #10 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2001.
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 Grand Chute 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 Grand Chute’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grand Chute, and Grand Chute’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #10 of 362 in Wisconsin; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grand Chute’s residents live in 13 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, Grand Chute has less expected damage per building than 98% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Grand Chute: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grand Chute flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grand Chute, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Grand Chute isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Outagamie County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grand Chute
Disasters that paid out in Grand Chute itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Grand Chute), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$100K to the Town of Grand Chute for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$34K to the Town of Grand Chute for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Outagamie County has had 8 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 Grand Chute after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grand Chute archive →Grand Chute and its neighbors
Grand Chute has the lowest expected damage per building of the 8 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Chute | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Appleton | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Little Chute | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Vandenbroek | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Center | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Greenville | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Freedom | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fox Crossing | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Grand Chute 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 Grand Chute
Is Grand Chute at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grand Chute has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #10 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grand Chute flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Grand Chute since 2001, $106K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Grand Chute 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 Outagamie County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grand Chute?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grand Chute’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 Grand Chute?
By FEMA money that reached Grand Chute, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $100K to the Town of Grand Chute for repairs.
Is Grand Chute at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Grand Chute’s rate for it is lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grand Chute.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grand Chute’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.