Old Indian Agency House (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Portage faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Portage gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #359 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is hail (52%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1983.
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 Portage’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Portage faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
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 Portage’s grade
Hail is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Portage, and Portage’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
D #359 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Portage’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, Portage has more expected damage per building than 99% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Portage: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Portage flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Portage, from FEMA’s records: 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm8 claims · $33K
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding2 claims · $10K
Portage isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Portage
Disasters that paid out in Portage itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Portage), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding409 households applied for aid$428K aid approved$137K to the City of Portage for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$31K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$12K to the City of Portage for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to the City of Portage for repairs
Columbia County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Portage after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Portage archive →Portage and its neighbors
Portage is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | C−more damage than 83% | hail | 4 |
| Portage | Dmore damage than 87% | hail | 38 |
| Pacific | Dmore damage than 88% | hail | — |
| Caledonia | Dmore damage than 88% | hail | 26 |
| Fort Winnebago | — | 798 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 Portage faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Portage
Is Portage at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Portage has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #359 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is hail (52%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Portage flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Portage since 1983, $609K in all, or 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (8).
Is Portage 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 Columbia County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Portage?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Portage’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 Portage?
By FEMA money that reached Portage, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 409 households applied for aid, $428K approved, and $137K to the City of Portage for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 8 paid, $33K.
Is Portage at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Portage’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Portage.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Portage’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.