Photo: Skvader · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Elmdale Township than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elmdale Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). 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 Elmdale 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
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 Elmdale Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elmdale Township, and Elmdale Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Elmdale Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $739K a year in losses across Elmdale Township: $593K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elmdale Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Elmdale Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Elmdale 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: Morrison County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elmdale Township
Disasters that paid out in Elmdale Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Elmdale Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to Elmdale Township for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$4K to Elmdale Township for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$9K to Elmdale Township for repairs
Morrison County has had 10 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 Morrison County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Elmdale Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elmdale Township archive →Elmdale Township and its neighbors
Elmdale Township is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krain Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Elmdale Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Swanville Township | — | 481 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Elmdale | — | 172 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Two Rivers Township | — | 899 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Grey Eagle Township | — | 564 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 Elmdale 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.
- 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 Elmdale Township
Is Elmdale Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elmdale Township has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (8%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Elmdale 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 Morrison County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Elmdale Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elmdale 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 Elmdale Township?
By FEMA money that reached Elmdale Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $15K to Elmdale Township for repairs.
Is Elmdale Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Elmdale Township’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elmdale Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elmdale 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.