Less hazard damage per building is expected in Townsend than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Townsend gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). 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 Townsend 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 Townsend’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Townsend, and Townsend’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Townsend’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $757K a year in losses across Townsend: $534K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Townsend flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Townsend. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Townsend isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oconto County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Townsend
Disasters that paid out in Townsend itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Townsend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$105K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
Oconto County has had 3 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 Townsend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Townsend archive →Townsend and its neighbors
Townsend is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wabeno | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Townsend | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Doty | — | 298 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lakewood | — | 787 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wolf River | — | 738 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Freedom | — | 462 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Riverview | — | 776 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 Townsend 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 Townsend
Is Townsend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Townsend has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (8%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Townsend 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 Oconto County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Townsend?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Townsend’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 Townsend?
By FEMA money that reached Townsend, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $105K to the Town of Townsend for repairs.
Is Townsend at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Townsend’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Townsend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Townsend’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.