Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Paynesville Township faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paynesville Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
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 Paynesville 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 Paynesville Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paynesville Township, and Paynesville Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Paynesville Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Paynesville Township: $914K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paynesville Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paynesville Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Paynesville 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: Stearns County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Paynesville Township
Disasters that paid out in Paynesville Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Paynesville Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$4K to Paynesville Township for repairs
Stearns County has had 10 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 Paynesville Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paynesville Township archive →Paynesville Township and its neighbors
Paynesville Township is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Munson Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Eden Lake Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Paynesville Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Union Grove Township | — | 634 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Roseville Township | — | 789 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Zion Township | — | 218 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 Paynesville 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 Paynesville Township
Is Paynesville Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paynesville Township has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Paynesville Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Paynesville Township since 2023, $5K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Paynesville 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 Stearns County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Paynesville Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paynesville 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 Paynesville Township?
By FEMA money that reached Paynesville Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $4K to Paynesville Township for repairs.
Is Paynesville Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Paynesville Township’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paynesville Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paynesville 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.