Photo: WikiSocialConnor · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Osceola than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Osceola gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #145 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2016.
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 stands out about Osceola’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Osceola 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
Strong wind
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 Osceola’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Osceola, and Osceola’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #145 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Osceola’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Wisconsin town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Osceola has less expected damage per building than 60% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Osceola: $658K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Osceola flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Osceola, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Osceola isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Osceola
Disasters that paid out in Osceola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Osceola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$262K to the Village of Osceola for repairs
Polk County has had 7 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 Osceola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Osceola archive →Osceola and its neighbors
Osceola is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Osceola | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Franconia Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Osceola | — | 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 Osceola 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Osceola
Is Osceola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Osceola has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #145 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (16%). 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.
Does Osceola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Osceola since 2016, $63K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Osceola 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 Polk County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Osceola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Osceola’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 Osceola?
By FEMA money that reached Osceola, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): $262K to the Village of Osceola for repairs.
Is Osceola at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Osceola’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Osceola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Osceola’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.