August G. and Theresa Green House · Photo: Jeff the quiet · CC0FEMA puts Stevens Point’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stevens Point gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #329 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2010.
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 Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stevens Point, and Stevens Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #329 of 362 in Wisconsin; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stevens Point’s residents live in 10 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, Stevens Point has more expected damage per building than 91% of Wisconsin towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.3M a year in losses across Stevens Point: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stevens Point flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stevens Point, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point
Disasters that paid out in Stevens Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Stevens Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$122K to the City of Stevens Point for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$33K to the City of Stevens Point for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the City of Stevens Point for repairs
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$3K to the City of Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stevens Point archive →Stevens Point and its neighbors
Stevens Point is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hull | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| 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 Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point
Is Stevens Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stevens Point has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #329 of 362 in Wisconsin. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stevens Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Stevens Point since 2010, $14K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stevens Point’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 Stevens Point?
By FEMA money that reached Stevens Point, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $122K to the City of Stevens Point for repairs.
Is Stevens Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Stevens Point’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stevens Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stevens Point’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.