Photo: Jandtali · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Howard than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Howard gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #82 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1979.
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 Howard 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 Howard’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Howard, and Howard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A #82 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Howard’s residents live in 4 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, Howard has less expected damage per building than 78% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Howard: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Howard flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Howard, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding3 claims · $90K
Howard 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.The storms Howard remembers
None of the 6 disasters declared for Brown County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Howard itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19794 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19863 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20193 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county 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 Howard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Howard archive →Howard and its neighbors
Howard 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hobart | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Howard | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Oneida | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Green Bay | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 162 |
| Suamico | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Howard 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 Howard
Is Howard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Howard has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #82 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Howard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Howard since 1979, $132K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Howard 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 Howard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Howard’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 Howard?
By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $90K.
Is Howard at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Howard’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Howard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Howard’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.