Appleton, WI
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Appleton is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Outagamie County, WI. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, hail, and lightning.
Storm events near Appleton
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Appleton's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Appleton itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Outagamie County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Appleton along with the rest of the county, not a Appleton-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 26.7 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 77.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 29.4 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 71.1 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 86.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 95.5 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 93 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 18.2 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | 59.7 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 36.5 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 90.5 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 69.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 78.1 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Outagamie County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Outagamie County:
More on Outagamie County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Appleton, WI at risk of?
Appleton is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Outagamie County, where Appleton is located, are cold wave, hail, and lightning.
What is Appleton's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Outagamie County, where Appleton is located, scoring 95.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Appleton a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Appleton carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Outagamie County.
Has Appleton had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 23 tornado, 125 hail, 21 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Appleton since 2016.