J. H. Morgan House · Photo: Jeff the quiet · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Plover faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plover gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #312 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Plover 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 Plover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plover, and Plover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #312 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plover’s residents live in 4 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, Plover has more expected damage per building than 86% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across Plover: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plover flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plover, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Plover isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Portage County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plover
Disasters that paid out in Plover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Plover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$342K to the Village of Plover for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the Village of Plover for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Village of Plover for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$47K to the Village of Plover for repairs
Portage County has had 9 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 Plover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plover archive →Plover and its neighbors
Plover has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plover | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Plover | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Stevens Point | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Whiting | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Linwood | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Plover 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 Plover
Is Plover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plover has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #312 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Plover since 2019, $4K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Plover 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 Portage County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Plover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plover’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 Plover?
By FEMA money that reached Plover, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $342K to the Village of Plover for repairs.
Is Plover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Plover’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plover’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.