Photo: Darb02 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Austin than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Austin gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #262 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 596 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Austin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Austin 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
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 Austin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Austin, and Austin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #262 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Austin’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Austin has more expected damage per building than 96% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.5M a year in losses across Austin: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Austin flood? Yes: 596 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Austin, from FEMA’s records: 54.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding96 claims · $674K
- The June Midwest Flooding5 claims · $224K
Austin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Mower County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Austin
Disasters that paid out in Austin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Austin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding177 households applied for aid$736K aid approved$244K to the City of Austin for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$99K to the City of Austin for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$245K to the City of Austin for repairs33 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding375 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$748K to the City of Austin for repairs84 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$7K to the City of Austin for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$234K to the City of Austin for repairs100 flood claims paid that year
Mower County has had 13 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 Austin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Austin archive →Austin and its neighbors
Austin has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 596 |
| Lansing Township | — | 833 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Austin Township | — | 880 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mapleview | — | 110 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Windom Township | — | 499 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Red Rock Township | — | 660 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 Austin 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.
- 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.
- Austin residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Austin
Is Austin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Austin has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #262 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Austin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 596 claims in Austin since 1978, $9.1M in all, or 54.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 30 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (96).
Is Austin 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 Mower County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Austin?
Austin is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Austin?
By FEMA money that reached Austin, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 375 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $748K to the City of Austin for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 96 paid, $674K.
Is Austin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Austin’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Austin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Austin’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.