Eagle Lake’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eagle Lake gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #119 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (17%). 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 Eagle Lake 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 Eagle Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eagle Lake, and Eagle Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #119 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eagle Lake’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, Eagle Lake has less expected damage per building than 57% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Eagle Lake: $645K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eagle Lake flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Eagle Lake. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Eagle Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Blue Earth County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eagle Lake
Disasters that paid out in Eagle Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eagle Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$63K aid approved$34K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Blue Earth County has had 20 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 Eagle Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eagle Lake archive →Eagle Lake and its neighbors
Eagle Lake has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Lake | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Mankato Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Le Ray Township | — | 780 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 Eagle Lake 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 Eagle Lake
Is Eagle Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eagle Lake has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #119 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Eagle Lake 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 Blue Earth County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Eagle Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eagle Lake’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 Eagle Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Eagle Lake, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 29 households applied for aid, $63K approved, and $34K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs.
Is Eagle Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Eagle Lake’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eagle Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eagle Lake’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.