Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Rhinelander than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rhinelander gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #174 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). 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 Rhinelander 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 Rhinelander’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rhinelander, and Rhinelander’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #174 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rhinelander’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, Rhinelander has less expected damage per building than 52% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Rhinelander: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rhinelander flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Rhinelander. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Rhinelander isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oneida County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Rhinelander
Disasters that paid out in Rhinelander itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rhinelander), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$61K to the City of Rhinelander for repairs
Oneida County has had 6 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 Rhinelander after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rhinelander archive →Rhinelander and its neighbors
Rhinelander is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rhinelander | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Newbold | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pelican | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pine Lake | Bless damage than 56% | 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 Rhinelander 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 Rhinelander
Is Rhinelander at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rhinelander has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #174 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Rhinelander 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 Oneida County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rhinelander?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rhinelander’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 Rhinelander?
By FEMA money that reached Rhinelander, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2000): $61K to the City of Rhinelander for repairs.
Is Rhinelander at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Rhinelander’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rhinelander.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rhinelander’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.