For tornadoes, Minier’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minier gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1982.
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 Minier 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
Earthquakes
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 Minier’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Minier, and Minier’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Minier’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $745K a year in losses across Minier: $445K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Minier flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Minier, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Minier isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tazewell County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Minier
Disasters that paid out in Minier itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Minier), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$818 aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Village of Minier for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the Village of Minier for repairs
Tazewell County has had 12 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 Minier after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Minier archive →Get ready for what Minier 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Minier
Is Minier at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minier has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (16%). 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.
Does Minier flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Minier since 1982, $774 in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Minier 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 Tazewell County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Minier?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Minier’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 Minier?
By FEMA money that reached Minier, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $3K to the Village of Minier for repairs.
Is Minier at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Minier’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Minier.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Minier’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.