Photo: Myotus · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Chanhassen than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chanhassen gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #71 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2001.
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 Chanhassen 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
Strong wind
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 Chanhassen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chanhassen, and Chanhassen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #71 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chanhassen’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, Chanhassen has less expected damage per building than 74% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.5M a year in losses across Chanhassen: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chanhassen flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chanhassen, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding2 claims · $14K
Chanhassen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carver County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Chanhassen
Disasters that paid out in Chanhassen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chanhassen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$110K to the City of Chanhassen for repairs
Carver County has had 13 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 Chanhassen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chanhassen archive →Chanhassen and its neighbors
Chanhassen is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chaska | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Victoria | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chanhassen | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Shorewood | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Jackson Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Eden Prairie | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Shakopee | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Chanhassen 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Chanhassen
Is Chanhassen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chanhassen has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #71 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chanhassen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Chanhassen since 2001, $14K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (2).
Is Chanhassen 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 Carver County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chanhassen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chanhassen’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 Chanhassen?
By FEMA money that reached Chanhassen, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2014): $110K to the City of Chanhassen for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 2 paid, $14K.
Is Chanhassen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Chanhassen’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chanhassen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chanhassen’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.