On FEMA’s figures, Burlington Township faces less hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (14%). 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 Burlington 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
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 Burlington Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burlington Township, and Burlington Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burlington Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $482K a year in losses across Burlington Township: $384K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burlington Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Burlington Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Burlington 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: Becker County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burlington Township
Disasters that paid out in Burlington Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Burlington Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to Burlington Township for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to Burlington Township for repairs
Becker County has had 16 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 Burlington Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burlington Township archive →Burlington Township and its neighbors
Burlington Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lakes | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Erie Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Burlington Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Lake View Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hobart Township | — | 796 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Silver Leaf Township | — | 445 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 Burlington 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Burlington Township
Is Burlington Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington Township has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Burlington 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 Becker County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Burlington Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burlington 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 Burlington Township?
By FEMA money that reached Burlington Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $11K to Burlington Township for repairs.
Is Burlington Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Burlington Township’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burlington Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burlington 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.