Storms, floods and disasters in Shell Rock Township
Shell Rock Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: Shell Rock Township has 282 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1980.
What Shell Rock 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.
Does Shell Rock Township flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shell Rock Township, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $7K
Shell Rock 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: Freeborn County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shell Rock Township
Disasters that paid out in Shell Rock Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Shell Rock Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to Shell Rock Township for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$7K to Shell Rock Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to Shell Rock Township for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to Shell Rock Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to Shell Rock Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$7K to Shell Rock Township for repairs
Freeborn County has had 18 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 Shell Rock Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shell Rock Township archive →Shell Rock Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenville | — | 572 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Freeman Township | — | 502 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hayward Township | — | 340 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| London Township | — | 270 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 Shell Rock 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 Shell Rock Township
Does Shell Rock Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Shell Rock Township since 1980, $124K in all. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Shell Rock 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 Freeborn County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shell Rock Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shell Rock 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 Shell Rock Township?
By FEMA money that reached Shell Rock Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): $15K to Shell Rock Township for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $7K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shell Rock Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shell Rock 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.