On FEMA’s figures, Knowlton faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knowlton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). 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 Knowlton 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
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 Knowlton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Knowlton, and Knowlton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Lightning adds 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Knowlton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Knowlton: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Knowlton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Knowlton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Knowlton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marathon County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Knowlton
Disasters that paid out in Knowlton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Knowlton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$155K to the Town of Knowlton for repairs
Marathon County has had 9 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 Knowlton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Knowlton archive →Knowlton and its neighbors
Knowlton is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Knowlton 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.
- 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 Knowlton
Is Knowlton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knowlton has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (7%). 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.
Is Knowlton 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 Marathon County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Knowlton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Knowlton’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 Knowlton?
By FEMA money that reached Knowlton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $155K to the Town of Knowlton for repairs.
Is Knowlton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Knowlton’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Knowlton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Knowlton’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.