On FEMA’s figures, Pokegama Township faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pokegama Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #252 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1997.
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 Pokegama 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
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 Pokegama Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pokegama Township, and Pokegama Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #252 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pokegama Township’s residents live in 4 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, Pokegama Township has more expected damage per building than 92% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Pokegama Township: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pokegama Township flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pokegama Township, from FEMA’s records: 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding3 claims · $7K
Pokegama 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: Pine County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pokegama Township
Disasters that paid out in Pokegama Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Pokegama Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$93K to Pokegama Township for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$71K to Pokegama Township for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$23K to Pokegama Township for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Pine County has had 10 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 Pine County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Pokegama Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pokegama Township archive →Pokegama Township and its neighbors
Pokegama Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pine City | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Pine City Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pokegama Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Royalton Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chengwatana Township | — | 815 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Brook Park Township | — | 581 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 Pokegama 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.
- 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 Pokegama Township
Is Pokegama Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pokegama Township has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #252 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pokegama Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Pokegama Township since 1997, $137K in all, or 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (3).
Is Pokegama 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 Pine County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pokegama Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pokegama 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 Pokegama Township?
By FEMA money that reached Pokegama Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $93K to Pokegama Township for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 3 paid, $7K.
Is Pokegama Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Pokegama Township’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pokegama Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pokegama 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.