Calumet Hotel · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Pipestone than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pipestone gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #19 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1993.
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 Pipestone 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
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 Pipestone’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pipestone, and Pipestone’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #19 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pipestone’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, Pipestone has less expected damage per building than 93% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Pipestone: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pipestone flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pipestone, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pipestone isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pipestone County.The storms Pipestone remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Pipestone County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Pipestone itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20108 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Pipestone County
- 19932 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Pipestone County
- 20192 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Pipestone County
Pipestone County has had 11 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 Pipestone after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pipestone archive →Pipestone and its neighbors
Pipestone 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipestone | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Sweet Township | — | 385 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Gray Township | — | 208 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 Pipestone 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.
- 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 Pipestone
Is Pipestone at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pipestone has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #19 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pipestone flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Pipestone since 1993, $344K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Pipestone 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 Pipestone County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Pipestone?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pipestone’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Pipestone at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Pipestone’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pipestone.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pipestone’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.