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How often floodwater reaches Appleton homes

For Appleton, WI: the facts behind the questions callers ask most, in plain words.

Homes built before 1980 make up 66% of the housing in Appleton; across Outagamie County the share is 52%.

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  • Water removal, drying and repair

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Technical drawing of flood damage restoration: flooded basement cleanup, storm water cleanup and crawl space water removal.
Flood Damage Restoration covers flooded basement cleanup, storm water cleanup and crawl space water removal.

What happens when you call

  1. Call (833) 728-2327

    Tell the person who answers what got wet and where the water came from. Calls are answered 24/7.

  2. Stop the source

    You get help shutting off the water or the power to a wet room while the crew is on the way.

  3. Inspection and written estimate

    Moisture readings, photos and a written estimate come before any work begins.

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A guide for water damage restoration in Appleton and the towns around it.

Expected inland flood losses in Appleton's ZIP codes run about $39 a year per $100,000 of building value, against $47 across Outagamie County.

Appleton and water from outside

By FEMA's figures, outside flooding is a small risk in Appleton. The National Risk Index puts the city's yearly inland flood loss at 39 per $100,000 of building value, against 47 for Outagamie County and 69 for Wisconsin. County flood insurance records from FEMA show 0.2 claims per 1,000 homes from 2016 to 2025, and 0.3% of homes there carry federal flood insurance. The county has had 4 major disaster declarations for floods and storms since 2000 and 4 days with flash flood or flood reports from 2016 to 2025.

The water that does get in tends to come with the thaw. NOAA climate normals show 49 inches of snow a year and about 7 days with an inch of rain or more. When snowmelt and spring rain arrive on frozen ground, water runs toward foundations and window wells instead of soaking in, and basements take it first. Homes on low streets near the Fox River can see it soonest.

Meltwater and rain that seep into a basement are Category 3, since they carry soil, runoff and sometimes sewage. The restoration crew removes wet carpet, pad and drywall and disinfects the basement before drying. A standard homeowners policy does not cover surface water or flooding, and sump pump backup needs its own endorsement. If spring water reaches your basement in the Appleton area, ask whether the job counts as flood damage restoration or a backup claim before work starts.

Appleton flood figures

About 74,873 people live in Appleton; calls for its area come from 140 ZIP codes.

27% of homes in Appleton are from before 1950, against 20% across Outagamie County.

33% of homes in Appleton are rented.

17% of homes in Appleton sit in larger multi-unit buildings, compared with 17% across Wisconsin.

  • 31,999 Housing units
  • 66% Homes built before 1980Outagamie County: 52% Appleton66%Outagamie52%WI58%
  • 74,873 Residents
  • 39 Yearly inland flood loss per $100,000 of building valueOutagamie County: 47 Appleton39Outagamie47WI69
  • 27% Homes built before 1950Outagamie County: 20% Appleton27%Outagamie20%WI23%
  • 33% Homes that are rentedOutagamie County: 28% Appleton33%Outagamie28%WI32%
  • 17% Homes in buildings with 5 or more unitsOutagamie County: 15% Appleton17%Outagamie15%WI17%
  • 49 Average snowfall a year, in inchesOutagamie County: 50 Appleton49Outagamie50WI46
  • 0% Mobile and manufactured homesOutagamie County: 1% Appleton0%Outagamie1%WI3%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-year estimates; FEMA OpenFEMA, FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, claims from 2016 to 2025 (not endorsed by FEMA); FEMA OpenFEMA, NFIP Residential Penetration Rates v1 (not endorsed by FEMA); FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, December 2025 (not endorsed by FEMA); NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, nearest weather station; FEMA OpenFEMA, Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 (not endorsed by FEMA); NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 2016 to 2025.

Before the next storm in Appleton

On 82 nights a year, by NOAA climate normals, Appleton drops to 20 degrees or colder, so much of the water that floods basements here starts as snow and ice. Before winter, clear out each downspout and extend it well past the foundation so meltwater does not pool at the walls. After each storm, shovel snow back from basement walls and window wells.

Census figures show 66% of homes were built before 1980 and 27% before 1950, and those older basements depend on sump pumps. Test the pump each fall with a bucket of water and add a battery backup for ice storms that cut power. Fit covers on window wells. Lift boxes and keepsakes off the basement floor onto shelves.

Look up your home on FEMA's flood map. FEMA notes a 30-day waiting period before a new flood policy takes effect, so buy it before the spring thaw. Ask your agent whether your policy includes sewer and drain backup, since meltwater can overload sewer lines.

Pipes are the other winter risk. With 157 nights a year at or below 32 degrees, pipes in exterior walls and crawlspaces can freeze and split, and burst pipe cleanup belongs in winter planning here. If water gets in, cut power to the basement, photograph the damage and start drying within 24 to 48 hours. A floor drain backup calls for sewage cleanup. Families with a second home can get water removal in Green Bay through the same line.

Getting your paperwork ready in Appleton

A few records make the days after a flood easier. Know your flood zone from the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Keep a video walk-through of the house, room by room, stored online. Write down where the main water valve and the breaker panel are. Raise anything valuable off the basement floor, and keep sandbags or water barriers only where water actually enters. After a flood, photograph the water line on the walls before cleanup begins. Hardwood or laminate soaked by floodwater usually needs floor repair after water damage once it is dry.

Appleton flood questions

What does a FEMA flood risk rating mean for my Appleton home?

FEMA's National Risk Index rates counties and census tracts for hazards such as riverine and coastal flooding, from very low to very high, using expected losses and community factors. It describes the area, not one house: a low lot or a basement can flood in a lower-rated area. Check your own FEMA flood zone too.

How do I keep storm water out of a Appleton basement?

Most basement water from storms comes from runoff at the foundation. Point downspouts away from the house, keep the yard sloping away, test the sump pump and its backup, and seal cracks and window wells.

Is flood cleanup different from other water damage?

Yes. Outside floodwater is Category 3 under the IICRC S500 standard, so carpet, pad, insulation and drywall below the water line are removed rather than dried, and hard surfaces are disinfected. Sewage and chemicals in floodwater are why the crew wears protective gear.

What should I do after floodwater gets into my Appleton home?

Keep out of the water until the electricity to the area is off. Floodwater counts as contaminated, so wear boots and gloves if you must go in. Photograph the water line, then call for extraction and drying; soaked porous materials below the line are usually removed.

Where can I check the flood zone for a Appleton address?

On the FEMA Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov: type the address to see its flood zone and the map's date. FEMA's National Risk Index adds a county and ZIP view of expected flood losses. A low-risk zone is not a no-risk zone; water from heavy rain still reaches basements outside mapped flood areas.

Other guides for Appleton

the full set of Appleton guides

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