Photo: Jeanqueq · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Prior Lake’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prior Lake gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #187 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then strong wind (23%). Flood insurance has paid 46 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 Prior Lake 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
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 Prior Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Prior Lake, and Prior Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #187 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Prior Lake’s residents live in 6 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, Prior Lake has more expected damage per building than 68% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.2M a year in losses across Prior Lake: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Prior Lake flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Prior Lake, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $8K
Prior Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scott County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Prior Lake
Disasters that paid out in Prior Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Prior Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$141K to the City of Prior Lake for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the City of Prior Lake for repairs
Scott County has had 12 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 Prior Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Prior Lake archive →Prior Lake and its neighbors
Prior Lake is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shakopee | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Savage | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Spring Lake Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Credit River | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Prior Lake | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
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 Prior Lake 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Prior Lake
Is Prior Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Prior Lake has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #187 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and strong wind (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Prior Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in Prior Lake since 1979, $460K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (3).
Is Prior Lake 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 Scott County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Prior Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Prior Lake’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 Prior Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Prior Lake, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2014): $141K to the City of Prior Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 3 paid, $8K.
Is Prior Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Prior Lake’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Prior Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Prior Lake’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.