Photo: Lorie Shaull · CC BY-SA 2.0For strong wind, Scandia’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scandia gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #111 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2014.
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 stands out about Scandia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Scandia 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 Scandia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scandia, and Scandia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #111 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Scandia’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, Scandia has less expected damage per building than 60% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Scandia: $917K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scandia flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scandia, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Scandia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Scandia
Disasters that paid out in Scandia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Scandia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$36K to the City of Scandia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Washington County has had 13 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 Washington County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Scandia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scandia archive →Scandia and its neighbors
Scandia is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Scandia | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Chisago City | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chisago Lake Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Franconia Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| May Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Forest Lake | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Marine on St. Croix | — | 740 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 Scandia 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 Scandia
Is Scandia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scandia has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #111 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (12%). 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 Scandia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Scandia since 2014, $27K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Scandia 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 Washington County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Scandia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scandia’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 Scandia?
By FEMA money that reached Scandia, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $36K to the City of Scandia for repairs.
Is Scandia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Scandia’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scandia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scandia’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.