Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Spencer Brook Township faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spencer Brook Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1997.
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 Spencer Brook 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 Spencer Brook Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spencer Brook Township, and Spencer Brook Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Spencer Brook Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $819K a year in losses across Spencer Brook Township: $679K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spencer Brook Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spencer Brook Township, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding3 claims · $29K
Spencer Brook 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: Isanti County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Spencer Brook Township
Disasters that paid out in Spencer Brook Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Spencer Brook Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$15K to Spencer Brook Township for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Isanti County has had 7 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 Spencer Brook Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spencer Brook Township archive →Spencer Brook Township and its neighbors
Spencer Brook Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Baldwin | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Stanford Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wyanett Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Spencer Brook Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Spencer Brook 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 Spencer Brook Township
Is Spencer Brook Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spencer Brook Township has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) 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 Spencer Brook Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Spencer Brook Township since 1997, $35K in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (3).
Is Spencer Brook 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 Isanti County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spencer Brook Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spencer Brook 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 Spencer Brook Township?
By FEMA money that reached Spencer Brook Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $15K to Spencer Brook Township for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 3 paid, $29K.
Is Spencer Brook Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Spencer Brook Township’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spencer Brook Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spencer Brook 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.