Coan House · Photo: Jonathunder · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Eyota’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eyota gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2007.
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 Eyota 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 Eyota’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eyota, and Eyota’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Eyota’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Eyota: $714K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eyota flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eyota, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Eyota isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Olmsted County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eyota
Disasters that paid out in Eyota itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eyota), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the City of Eyota for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding275 households applied for aid$669K aid approved$91K to the City of Eyota for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Olmsted County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Eyota after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eyota archive →Get ready for what Eyota 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 Eyota
Is Eyota at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eyota has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (16%). 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.
Does Eyota flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Eyota since 2007, $20K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Eyota 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 Olmsted County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eyota?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eyota’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 Eyota?
By FEMA money that reached Eyota, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 275 households applied for aid, $669K approved, and $91K to the City of Eyota for repairs.
Is Eyota at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Eyota’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eyota.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eyota’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.