Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0For strong wind, Le Center’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Le Center gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #115 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then tornadoes (18%). 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 Le Center 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 Le Center’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Le Center, and Le Center’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #115 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Le Center’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Le Center has less expected damage per building than 58% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Le Center: $855K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Le Center flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Le Center. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Le Center isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Le Sueur County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Le Center
Disasters that paid out in Le Center itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Le Center), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$5K to the City of Le Center for repairs
Le Sueur County has had 16 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 Le Center after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Le Center archive →Le Center and its neighbors
Le Center has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Center | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Lexington Township | — | 712 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 Le Center 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 Le Center
Is Le Center at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Le Center has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #115 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and tornadoes (18%). 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 Le Center 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 Le Sueur County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Le Center?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Le Center’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 Le Center?
By FEMA money that reached Le Center, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 1 households applied for aid, $20K approved.
Is Le Center at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Le Center’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Le Center.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Le Center’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.