FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Barnum Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barnum Township gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2016.
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 Barnum Township 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
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 Barnum Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Barnum Township, and Barnum Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Barnum Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $928K a year in losses across Barnum Township: $334K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Barnum Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Barnum Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Barnum Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carlton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Barnum Township
Disasters that paid out in Barnum Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Barnum Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$44K to Barnum Township for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to Barnum Township for repairs
Carlton County has had 6 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 Barnum Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Barnum Township archive →Barnum Township and its neighbors
Barnum Township is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moose Lake Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Blackhoof Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Barnum Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Barnum | — | 503 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mahtowa Township | — | 690 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 Barnum Township 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.
- 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 Barnum Township
Is Barnum Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barnum Township has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Barnum Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Barnum Township since 2016, $85K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Barnum Township 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 Carlton County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Barnum Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Barnum Township’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 Barnum Township?
By FEMA money that reached Barnum Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2018): $44K to Barnum Township for repairs.
Is Barnum Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Barnum Township’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Barnum Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Barnum Township’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.