FEMA puts Dayton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dayton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #234 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1997.
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 Dayton 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 Dayton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dayton, and Dayton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 6%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #234 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dayton’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, Dayton has more expected damage per building than 85% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Dayton: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dayton flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dayton, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding2 claims · $4K
Dayton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hennepin County.The storms Dayton remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Hennepin County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Dayton itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19972 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, High Winds, Flooding, declared for Hennepin County
- 20012 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Hennepin County
Hennepin 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 Dayton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dayton archive →Dayton and its neighbors
Dayton is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Maple Grove | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Elk River | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Otsego | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Dayton | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Anoka | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Champlin | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Ramsey | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Dayton 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 Dayton
Is Dayton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dayton has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #234 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dayton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Dayton since 1997, $11K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (2).
Is Dayton 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 Hennepin County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dayton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dayton’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 Dayton?
By flood claims, Severe flooding: 2 paid, $4K.
Is Dayton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Dayton’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dayton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dayton’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.