Photo: Kenwkoun · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Stephenson as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stephenson gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #292 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2026.
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 Stephenson 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
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 Stephenson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stephenson, and Stephenson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #292 of 362 in Wisconsin; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stephenson’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, Stephenson has more expected damage per building than 81% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Stephenson: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stephenson flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2026
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stephenson, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Stephenson 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Stephenson
Disasters that paid out in Stephenson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Stephenson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Town of Stephenson for repairs
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 Stephenson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stephenson archive →Stephenson and its neighbors
Stephenson is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazeau | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Beaver | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Stephenson | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lake | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wausaukee | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Middle Inlet | — | 926 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lakewood | — | 787 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Athelstane | — | 475 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Riverview | — | 776 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Silver Cliff | — | 528 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 Stephenson 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.
- 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 Stephenson
Is Stephenson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stephenson has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #292 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stephenson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Stephenson since 2026, $35K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Stephenson 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 Stephenson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stephenson’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 Stephenson?
By FEMA money that reached Stephenson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2002): $14K to the Town of Stephenson for repairs.
Is Stephenson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Stephenson’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stephenson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stephenson’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.