Church of St. Wenceslaus-Catholic · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0New Prague’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Prague gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #201 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then strong wind (17%). 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 New Prague 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
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 New Prague’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Prague, and New Prague’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 17%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #201 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Prague’s residents live in 3 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, New Prague has more expected damage per building than 73% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across New Prague: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Prague flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in New Prague. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
New Prague 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.The storms New Prague remembers
None of the 16 disasters declared for Le Sueur County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching New Prague itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
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.
New Prague and its neighbors
New Prague is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lanesburgh Township | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| New Prague | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Helena Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 New Prague 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 New Prague
Is New Prague at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Prague has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #201 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and strong wind (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is New Prague 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 New Prague?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Prague’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is New Prague at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and New Prague’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Prague.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Prague’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.