Peshtigo Fire Cemetery · Photo: self · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Peshtigo than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peshtigo gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #241 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1986.
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 Peshtigo 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
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 Peshtigo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Peshtigo, and Peshtigo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #241 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Peshtigo’s residents live in 2 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, Peshtigo has more expected damage per building than 66% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Peshtigo: $980K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Peshtigo flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Peshtigo, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Peshtigo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marinette County.The storms Peshtigo remembers
None of the 4 disasters declared for Marinette County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Peshtigo itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19862 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Marinette County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Peshtigo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Peshtigo archive →Get ready for what Peshtigo 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.
- 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 Peshtigo
Is Peshtigo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peshtigo has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #241 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Peshtigo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Peshtigo since 1986, $3K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Peshtigo 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 Marinette County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Peshtigo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Peshtigo’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Peshtigo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Peshtigo’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Peshtigo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Peshtigo’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.