Photo: self · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Oshkosh’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oshkosh gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #240 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 67 claims here since 1990.
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 Oshkosh’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oshkosh, and Oshkosh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #240 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oshkosh’s residents live in 21 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, Oshkosh has more expected damage per building than 66% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.4M a year in losses across Oshkosh: $14.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oshkosh flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oshkosh, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm2 claims · $517K
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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oshkosh
Disasters that paid out in Oshkosh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oshkosh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,185 households applied for aid$4.3M aid approved$280K to the City of Oshkosh for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding392 households applied for aid$541K aid approved$38K to the City of Oshkosh for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$1.1M to the City of Oshkosh 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 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 is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Black Wolf | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Nekimi | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Oshkosh | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Algoma | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #240 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oshkosh flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Oshkosh since 1990, $2.9M in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (2).
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, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 2,185 households applied for aid, $4.3M approved, and $280K to the City of Oshkosh for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 2 paid, $517K.
Is Oshkosh at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Oshkosh’s rate for it is higher than 53% 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.