Less hazard damage per building is expected in Oak Lawn Township than in 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Lawn Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). 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 Oak Lawn 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.
What’s behind Oak Lawn Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oak Lawn Township, and Oak Lawn Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oak Lawn Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $784K a year in losses across Oak Lawn Township: $492K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oak Lawn Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Oak Lawn Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Oak Lawn 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: Crow Wing County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oak Lawn Township
Disasters that paid out in Oak Lawn Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Oak Lawn Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to Oak Lawn Township for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to Oak Lawn Township for repairs
Crow Wing County has had 9 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 Crow Wing County, 2002–2002.
Old photos of Oak Lawn Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oak Lawn Township archive →Oak Lawn Township and its neighbors
Oak Lawn Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irondale Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brainerd | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Oak Lawn Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Center Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Long Lake Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Nokay Lake Township | — | 839 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Riverton | — | 145 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 Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn Township
Is Oak Lawn Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Lawn Township has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Oak Lawn 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 Crow Wing County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oak Lawn Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn Township?
By FEMA money that reached Oak Lawn Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2012): $18K to Oak Lawn Township for repairs.
Is Oak Lawn Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Oak Lawn Township’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oak Lawn Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oak Lawn 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.