Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Omro’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Omro gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Omro 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 Omro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Omro, and Omro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Omro’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Omro: $781K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Omro flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Omro, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $41K
Omro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winnebago County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Omro
Disasters that paid out in Omro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Omro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the Town of Omro for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$10K to the Town of Omro for repairs
Winnebago County has had 8 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 Omro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Omro archive →Omro and its neighbors
Omro is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algoma | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Utica | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Omro | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Rushford | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Winneconne | — | not graded yet | |
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 Omro 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 Omro
Is Omro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Omro has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Omro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Omro since 2019, $41K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Omro 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 Winnebago County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Omro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Omro’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 Omro?
By FEMA money that reached Omro, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $10K to the Town of Omro for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $41K.
Is Omro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Omro’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Omro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Omro’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.