Less hazard damage per building is expected in Minden Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minden Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (12%). 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 Minden 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 Minden Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Minden Township, and Minden Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Minden Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $661K a year in losses across Minden Township: $469K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Minden Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Minden Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Minden 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: Benton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Minden Township
Disasters that paid out in Minden Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Minden Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$871 to Minden Township for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$3K to Minden Township for repairs
Benton County has had 10 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 Minden Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Minden Township archive →Minden Township and its neighbors
Minden Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minden Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| St. George Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| St. Cloud | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Sauk Rapids | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Haven Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sauk Rapids Township | — | 453 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mayhew Lake Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Minden 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 Minden Township
Is Minden Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minden Township has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Minden 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 Benton County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Minden Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Minden 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 Minden Township?
By FEMA money that reached Minden Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $3K to Minden Township for repairs.
Is Minden Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Minden Township’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Minden Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Minden 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.