George H. Haven House · Photo: Jonathunder · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Chatfield faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chatfield gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #145 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2000.
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 Chatfield 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 Chatfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chatfield, and Chatfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #145 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chatfield’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, Chatfield has more expected damage per building than 53% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Chatfield: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chatfield flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chatfield, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chatfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fillmore County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chatfield
Disasters that paid out in Chatfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chatfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$58K to the City of Chatfield for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$28K to the City of Chatfield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$8K to the City of Chatfield for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Chatfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Fillmore County has had 15 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 Chatfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chatfield archive →Chatfield and its neighbors
Chatfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chatfield | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Chatfield Township | — | 779 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Elmira Township | — | 323 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Orion Township | — | 493 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 Chatfield 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 Chatfield
Is Chatfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chatfield has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #145 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chatfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Chatfield since 2000, $229 in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Chatfield 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 Fillmore County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chatfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chatfield’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 Chatfield?
By FEMA money that reached Chatfield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): $58K to the City of Chatfield for repairs.
Is Chatfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Chatfield’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chatfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chatfield’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.