Photo: Leonard J. DeFrancisci · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Plainview’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plainview gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #27 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (18%). 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 Plainview 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 Plainview’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plainview, and Plainview’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #27 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Plainview’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Plainview has less expected damage per building than 90% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Plainview: $887K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plainview flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Plainview. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Plainview isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wabasha County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Plainview
Disasters that paid out in Plainview itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Plainview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding51 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
Wabasha County has had 14 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 Plainview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plainview archive →Get ready for what Plainview 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 Plainview
Is Plainview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plainview has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #27 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (18%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Plainview 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 Wabasha County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Plainview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plainview’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 Plainview?
By FEMA money that reached Plainview, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 51 households applied for aid, $76K approved.
Is Plainview at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Plainview’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plainview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plainview’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.