FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Packwaukee than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Packwaukee gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hail (14%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Packwaukee 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 Packwaukee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Packwaukee, and Packwaukee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Packwaukee’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Packwaukee: $680K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Packwaukee flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Packwaukee. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Packwaukee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marquette County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Packwaukee
Disasters that paid out in Packwaukee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Packwaukee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides8 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$40K to the Town of Packwaukee for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$788 to the Town of Packwaukee for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$4K to the Town of Packwaukee for repairs
Marquette County has had 6 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 Packwaukee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Packwaukee archive →Packwaukee and its neighbors
Packwaukee is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montello | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Buffalo | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Packwaukee | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Moundville | — | 546 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Harris | — | 723 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Oxford | — | 968 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Shields | — | 733 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Packwaukee 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 Packwaukee
Is Packwaukee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Packwaukee has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Packwaukee 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 Marquette County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Packwaukee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Packwaukee’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 Packwaukee?
By FEMA money that reached Packwaukee, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides (2018): 8 households applied for aid, $8K approved, and $40K to the Town of Packwaukee for repairs.
Is Packwaukee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Packwaukee’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Packwaukee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Packwaukee’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.