French Lake Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, French Lake Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
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 French Lake 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
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 French Lake Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in French Lake Township, and French Lake Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% 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 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of French Lake Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $581K a year in losses across French Lake Township: $479K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does French Lake Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in French Lake Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
French Lake 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: Wright County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to French Lake Township
Disasters that paid out in French Lake Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to French Lake Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$54K to French Lake Township for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$3K to French Lake Township 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 French Lake Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the French Lake Township archive →French Lake Township and its neighbors
French Lake Township is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cokato Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Kingston Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Southside Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Albion Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| French Lake Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 French Lake 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.
- 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 French Lake Township
Is French Lake Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, French Lake Township has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (9%). 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 French Lake Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in French Lake Township since 2011, $15K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is French Lake 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 Wright County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in French Lake Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for French Lake 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 French Lake Township?
By FEMA money that reached French Lake Township, Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes (2002): $54K to French Lake Township for repairs.
Is French Lake Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and French Lake Township’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in French Lake Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where French Lake 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.