John and Martin Mower House and Arcola Mill Site · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0May Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, May Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #190 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1979.
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 May 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 May Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in May Township, and May Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #190 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of May Township’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, May Township has more expected damage per building than 69% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across May Township: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does May Township flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in May Township, from FEMA’s records: 15.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding5 claims · $115K
May 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: Washington County.The storms May Township remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Washington County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching May Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19816 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20015 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Washington County
- 19973 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Flooding, High Winds,severe Storms, declared for Washington County
Washington County has had 13 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of May Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the May Township archive →May Township and its neighbors
May 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Scandia | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Stillwater Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hugo | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| May Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Marine on St. Croix | — | 740 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 May 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 May Township
Is May Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, May Township has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #190 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 May Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in May Township since 1979, $286K in all, or 15.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (5).
Is May 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 Washington County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in May Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for May 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 May Township?
By flood claims, Severe flooding: 5 paid, $115K.
Is May Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and May Township’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in May Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where May 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.