On FEMA’s figures, Byron faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byron gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #38 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (19%). 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 Byron 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
Hail
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 Byron’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Byron, and Byron’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 19% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #38 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Byron’s residents live in 2 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, Byron has less expected damage per building than 86% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Byron: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Byron flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Byron. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Byron isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Olmsted County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Byron
Disasters that paid out in Byron itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Byron), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the City of Byron for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to the City of Byron for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding82 households applied for aid$119K aid approved$85K to the City of Byron for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Olmsted 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 Byron after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Byron archive →Byron and its neighbors
Byron has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Byron | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Kalmar Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Byron 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Byron
Is Byron at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byron has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #38 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Byron 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 Olmsted County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Byron?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Byron’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 Byron?
By FEMA money that reached Byron, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 82 households applied for aid, $119K approved, and $85K to the City of Byron for repairs.
Is Byron at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Byron’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Byron.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Byron’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.