Photo: PinchyCC · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Maplewood’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maplewood gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #36 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1978.
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 Maplewood 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
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 Maplewood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maplewood, and Maplewood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #36 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Maplewood’s residents live in 10 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, Maplewood has less expected damage per building than 87% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.0M a year in losses across Maplewood: $7.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Maplewood flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maplewood, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $3K
Maplewood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ramsey County.The storms Maplewood remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Ramsey County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Maplewood itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19782 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, Hail and Tornadoes, declared for Ramsey County
- 19791 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20011 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Ramsey County
Ramsey County has had 15 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 Maplewood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maplewood archive →Maplewood and its neighbors
Maplewood is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roseville | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Little Canada | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Maplewood | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| White Bear Lake | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| St. Paul | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Vadnais Heights | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Woodbury | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| North St. Paul | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Maplewood 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.
- 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 Maplewood
Is Maplewood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maplewood has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #36 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Maplewood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Maplewood since 1978, $13K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Maplewood 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 Ramsey County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Maplewood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maplewood’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 Maplewood?
By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Maplewood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Maplewood’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maplewood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maplewood’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.