Photo: Bmzuckerman · CC BY 4.0Owatonna’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owatonna gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #157 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 64 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 stands out about Owatonna’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Owatonna 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 Owatonna’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Owatonna, and Owatonna’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #157 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Owatonna’s residents live in 7 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, Owatonna has more expected damage per building than 57% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.6M a year in losses across Owatonna: $9.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Owatonna flood? Sometimes: 64 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Owatonna, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding2 claims · $76K
Owatonna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Steele County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Owatonna
Disasters that paid out in Owatonna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Owatonna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$63K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$94K to the City of Owatonna for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding71 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$107K to the City of Owatonna for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$7K to the City of Owatonna for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$1.2M to the City of Owatonna for repairs37 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding157 households applied for aid$343K aid approved$254K to the City of Owatonna for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$26K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Steele County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Owatonna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Owatonna archive →Owatonna and its neighbors
Owatonna has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owatonna | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Owatonna Township | — | 728 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Clinton Falls Township | — | 321 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 Owatonna 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 Owatonna
Is Owatonna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Owatonna has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #157 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Owatonna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 64 claims in Owatonna since 1979, $2.0M in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Owatonna 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 Steele County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Owatonna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Owatonna’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 Owatonna?
By FEMA money that reached Owatonna, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $1.2M to the City of Owatonna for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $76K.
Is Owatonna at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Owatonna’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Owatonna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Owatonna’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.