Photo: WikiMRV/M.R. Voigt · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Clearwater’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clearwater gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clearwater, and Clearwater’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clearwater’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $883K a year in losses across Clearwater: $728K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clearwater flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Clearwater. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Clearwater isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wright County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Clearwater
Disasters that paid out in Clearwater itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clearwater), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$4K to the City of Clearwater for repairs
Wright County has had 14 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 Clearwater after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clearwater archive →Clearwater and its neighbors
Clearwater 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynden Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clearwater Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Clearwater | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Clear Lake Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater
Is Clearwater at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clearwater has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Clearwater 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 Wright County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Clearwater?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clearwater’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 Clearwater?
By FEMA money that reached Clearwater, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $4K to the City of Clearwater for repairs.
Is Clearwater at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Clearwater’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clearwater.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clearwater’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.