Photo: cjohnson7 · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Rochester Township than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rochester Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1978.
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 Rochester 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 Rochester Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rochester Township, and Rochester Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rochester Township’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Rochester Township: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rochester Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rochester Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rochester 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: Olmsted County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Rochester Township
Disasters that paid out in Rochester Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Rochester Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to Rochester Township for repairs
Olmsted County has had 12 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 Rochester Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rochester Township archive →Rochester Township and its neighbors
Rochester Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Marion Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Rochester Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Rochester | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 526 |
| High Forest Township | — | 894 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 Rochester 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 Rochester Township
Is Rochester Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rochester Township has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rochester Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Rochester Township since 1978, $7K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rochester 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 Olmsted County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rochester Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rochester 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 Rochester Township?
By FEMA money that reached Rochester Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $21K to Rochester Township for repairs.
Is Rochester Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Rochester Township’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rochester Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rochester 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.