Photo: self · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Oshkosh’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oshkosh gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1995.
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 Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oshkosh, and Oshkosh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oshkosh’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $713K a year in losses across Oshkosh: $360K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oshkosh flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oshkosh, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh
Disasters that paid out in Oshkosh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oshkosh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Oshkosh for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$28K to the Town of Oshkosh for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Oshkosh after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oshkosh archive →Oshkosh and its neighbors
Oshkosh has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Black Wolf | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Vinland | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Oshkosh | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Butte des Morts | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh
Is Oshkosh at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oshkosh has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oshkosh flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Oshkosh since 1995, $90K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oshkosh’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 Oshkosh?
By FEMA money that reached Oshkosh, Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2001): $28K to the Town of Oshkosh for repairs.
Is Oshkosh at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Oshkosh’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oshkosh.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oshkosh’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.