Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in St. Charles than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Charles gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #218 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1986.
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 St. Charles 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
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 St. Charles’ grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Charles, and St. Charles’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C #218 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of St. Charles’ 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, St. Charles has more expected damage per building than 79% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across St. Charles: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Charles flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Charles, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
St. Charles isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winona County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to St. Charles
Disasters that paid out in St. Charles itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Charles), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding271 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$81K to the City of St. Charles for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Winona County has had 14 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 St. Charles after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Charles archive →St. Charles and its neighbors
St. Charles has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Charles | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| St. Charles Township | — | 667 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 St. Charles 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.
- 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 St. Charles
Is St. Charles at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Charles has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #218 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 St. Charles flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in St. Charles since 1986, $1.3M in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is St. Charles 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 Winona County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in St. Charles?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Charles’ 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 St. Charles?
By FEMA money that reached St. Charles, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 271 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $81K to the City of St. Charles for repairs.
Is St. Charles at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and St. Charles’ rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Charles.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Charles’ 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.