USS COBIA (submarine) · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Manitowoc than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manitowoc gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #163 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hail (11%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manitowoc, and Manitowoc’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− #163 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manitowoc’s residents live in 9 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, Manitowoc has less expected damage per building than 55% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.4M a year in losses across Manitowoc: $7.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manitowoc flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manitowoc, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $10K
Manitowoc 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manitowoc
Disasters that paid out in Manitowoc itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manitowoc), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$54K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding87 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2000Snow$48K to the City of Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manitowoc archive →Manitowoc and its neighbors
Manitowoc is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Manitowoc | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Manitowoc Rapids | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Manitowoc | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Two Rivers | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Two Rivers | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc
Is Manitowoc at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manitowoc has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #163 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hail (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manitowoc flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Manitowoc since 1979, $43K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manitowoc’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 Manitowoc?
By FEMA money that reached Manitowoc, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 87 households applied for aid, $77K approved. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Manitowoc at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Manitowoc’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manitowoc.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manitowoc’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.