Sanborn’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sanborn gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (25%). 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 Sanborn 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
Strong wind
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 Sanborn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sanborn, and Sanborn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 25%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sanborn’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Sanborn: $642K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sanborn flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sanborn. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sanborn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: O'Brien County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sanborn
Disasters that paid out in Sanborn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sanborn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes93 households applied for aid$473K aid approved$332K to the City of Sanborn for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm$42K to the City of Sanborn for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes30 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$3K to the City of Sanborn for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$6K to the City of Sanborn for repairs
- 2007Snow$6K to the City of Sanborn for repairs
O'Brien County has had 12 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 Sanborn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sanborn archive →Get ready for what Sanborn 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Sanborn
Is Sanborn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sanborn has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (25%). 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 Sanborn 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 O'Brien County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sanborn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sanborn’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 Sanborn?
By FEMA money that reached Sanborn, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2024): 93 households applied for aid, $473K approved, and $332K to the City of Sanborn for repairs.
Is Sanborn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Sanborn’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sanborn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sanborn’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.