Storms, floods and disasters in Nilsen Township
Nilsen Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: Nilsen Township has 56 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1997.
What Nilsen 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
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.
Does Nilsen Township flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nilsen Township, from FEMA’s records.
- The Winter storm2 claims · $15K
Nilsen 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: Wilkin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nilsen Township
Disasters that paid out in Nilsen Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Nilsen Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to Nilsen Township for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$29K to Nilsen Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to Nilsen Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Flooding$31K to Nilsen Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Wilkin County has had 20 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 Nilsen Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nilsen Township archive →Nilsen Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrea Township | — | 43 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Connelly Township | — | 105 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Meadows Township | — | 67 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 Nilsen 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.
- 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 Nilsen Township
Does Nilsen Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Nilsen Township since 1997, $95K in all. The most claims came from Winter storm (2).
Is Nilsen 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 Wilkin County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nilsen Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nilsen 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 Nilsen Township?
By FEMA money that reached Nilsen Township, Flooding (2010): $31K to Nilsen Township for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 2 paid, $15K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nilsen Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nilsen 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.