FEMA puts Solway Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Solway Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2009.
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 Solway 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
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 Solway Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Solway Township, and Solway Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Solway Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $456K a year in losses across Solway Township: $395K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Solway Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Solway Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Solway 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: St. Louis County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Solway Township
Disasters that paid out in Solway Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Solway Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to Solway Township for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to Solway Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
St. Louis 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 St. Louis County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Solway Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Solway Township archive →Solway Township and its neighbors
Solway Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermantown | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Solway Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Grand Lake Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brevator Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Thomson Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Solway 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.
- 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 Solway Township
Is Solway Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Solway Township has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Solway Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Solway Township since 2009, $26K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Solway 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 St. Louis County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Solway Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Solway 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 Solway Township?
By FEMA money that reached Solway Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2012): $15K to Solway Township for repairs.
Is Solway Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Solway Township’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Solway Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Solway 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.