Wood County Courthouse · Photo: TheCatalyst31 · CC0FEMA puts Wisconsin Rapids’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wisconsin Rapids gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #338 of 362 in Wisconsin State. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1980.
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 Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids’ grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wisconsin Rapids, and Wisconsin Rapids’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 7%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #338 of 362 in Wisconsin State; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wisconsin Rapids’ residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Wisconsin State town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Wisconsin Rapids has more expected damage per building than 93% of Wisconsin State towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.5M a year in losses across Wisconsin Rapids: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wisconsin Rapids flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wisconsin Rapids, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wisconsin Rapids isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wood County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wisconsin Rapids
Disasters that paid out in Wisconsin Rapids itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wisconsin Rapids), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$444K to the City of Wisconsin Rapids for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$68K to the City of Wisconsin Rapids for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$85K to the City of Wisconsin Rapids for repairs
Wood County has had 10 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 Wisconsin Rapids after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wisconsin Rapids archive →Wisconsin Rapids and its neighbors
Wisconsin Rapids is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Sigel | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rudolph | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wisconsin Rapids | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Seneca | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Port Edwards | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Biron | — | 822 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 Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids
Is Wisconsin Rapids at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wisconsin Rapids has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #338 of 362 in Wisconsin State. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wisconsin Rapids flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Wisconsin Rapids since 1980, $500K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wood County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wisconsin Rapids?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wisconsin Rapids’ 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 Wisconsin Rapids?
By FEMA money that reached Wisconsin Rapids, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $444K to the City of Wisconsin Rapids for repairs.
Is Wisconsin Rapids at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Wisconsin Rapids’ rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wisconsin Rapids.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wisconsin Rapids’ 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.