Marshan Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshan Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1997.
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 Marshan 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 Marshan Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marshan Township, and Marshan Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marshan Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $480K a year in losses across Marshan Township: $349K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marshan Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marshan Township, from FEMA’s records: 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $1K
Marshan 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: Dakota County.The storms Marshan Township remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Dakota County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Marshan Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19972 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Flooding, High Winds,severe Storms, declared for Dakota County
- 20011 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Dakota County
- 20201 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Dakota County has had 13 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 Marshan Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marshan Township archive →Marshan Township and its neighbors
Marshan Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Vermillion Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Marshan Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Ravenna Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Douglas Township | — | 773 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 Marshan 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 Marshan Township
Is Marshan Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshan Township has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marshan Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Marshan Township since 1997, $18K in all, or 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Marshan 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 Dakota County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marshan Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marshan 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 Marshan Township?
By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Marshan Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Marshan Township’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marshan Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marshan 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.