Photo: Epsatre · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in South St. Paul than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South St. Paul gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #58 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then strong wind (17%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2011.
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 South St. Paul 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
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 South St. Paul’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in South St. Paul, and South St. Paul’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #58 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South St. Paul’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, South St. Paul has less expected damage per building than 79% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across South St. Paul: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South St. Paul flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South St. Paul, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South St. Paul isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dakota County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South St. Paul
Disasters that paid out in South St. Paul itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South St. Paul), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$91K to the City of South St. Paul for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$31K to the City of South St. Paul for repairs
Dakota County has had 13 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 South St. Paul after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South St. Paul archive →South St. Paul and its neighbors
South St. Paul is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West St. Paul | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| St. Paul | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| South St. Paul | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Inver Grove Heights | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Newport | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 South St. Paul 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 South St. Paul
Is South St. Paul at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South St. Paul has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #58 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and strong wind (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South St. Paul flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in South St. Paul since 2011, $4K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South St. Paul 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 Dakota County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South St. Paul?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South St. Paul’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 South St. Paul?
By FEMA money that reached South St. Paul, Severe Storms and Flooding (2012): $91K to the City of South St. Paul for repairs.
Is South St. Paul at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and South St. Paul’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South St. Paul.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South St. Paul’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.