On FEMA’s figures, Linwood faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linwood gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). 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 Linwood 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 Linwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Linwood, and Linwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Linwood’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $622K a year in losses across Linwood: $414K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Linwood flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Linwood. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Linwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Portage County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Linwood
Disasters that paid out in Linwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Linwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$44K to the Town of Linwood for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$23K to the Town of Linwood for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$3K to the Town of Linwood for repairs
Portage 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 Linwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Linwood archive →Linwood and its neighbors
Linwood is 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plover | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Plover | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Carson | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rudolph | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Stevens Point | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Whiting | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Linwood | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Linwood 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 Linwood
Is Linwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linwood has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Linwood 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 Portage County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Linwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Linwood’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 Linwood?
By FEMA money that reached Linwood, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $44K to the Town of Linwood for repairs.
Is Linwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Linwood’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Linwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Linwood’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.