Moody Barn · Photo: Elkman · CC BY-SA 3.0For strong wind, Chisago Lake Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chisago Lake Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #139 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1985.
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 Chisago Lake 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
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 Chisago Lake Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chisago Lake Township, and Chisago Lake Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #139 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chisago Lake Township’s residents live in 4 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, Chisago Lake Township has more expected damage per building than 51% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Chisago Lake Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chisago Lake Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chisago Lake Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chisago Lake 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: Chisago County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Chisago Lake Township
Disasters that paid out in Chisago Lake Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Chisago Lake Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$6K to Chisago Lake Township for repairs
Chisago County has had 8 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Chisago County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Chisago Lake Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chisago Lake Township archive →Chisago Lake Township and its neighbors
Chisago Lake Township is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindstrom | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Scandia | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Chisago City | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chisago Lake Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Franconia Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Forest Lake | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Stacy | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sunrise Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Center City | — | 651 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Shafer Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Amador Township | — | 804 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 Chisago Lake 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.
- 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 Chisago Lake Township
Is Chisago Lake Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chisago Lake Township has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #139 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chisago Lake Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Chisago Lake Township since 1985, $10K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Chisago Lake 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 Chisago County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chisago Lake Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chisago Lake 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 Chisago Lake Township?
By FEMA money that reached Chisago Lake Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $6K to Chisago Lake Township for repairs.
Is Chisago Lake Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Chisago Lake Township’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chisago Lake Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chisago Lake 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.