Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Rockford Township faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockford Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #263 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1984.
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 Rockford 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
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 Rockford Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rockford Township, and Rockford Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #263 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rockford Township’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, Rockford Township has more expected damage per building than 96% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Rockford Township: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rockford Township flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rockford Township, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $1K
Rockford 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: Wright County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rockford Township
Disasters that paid out in Rockford Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Rockford Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$132K to Rockford Township for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$39K to Rockford Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Wright 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 Rockford Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rockford Township archive →Rockford Township and its neighbors
Rockford Township is 9th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfield | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Buffalo | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Buffalo Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Marysville Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| St. Michael | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hanover | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Franklin Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rockford | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rockford Township | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Rockford 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.
- 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 Rockford Township
Is Rockford Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockford Township has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #263 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (6%). 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.
Does Rockford Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Rockford Township since 1984, $50K in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Rockford 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 Wright County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Rockford Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rockford 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 Rockford Township?
By FEMA money that reached Rockford Township, Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes (2002): $132K to Rockford Township for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Rockford Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Rockford Township’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rockford Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rockford 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.