Storms, floods and disasters in St. Clair
St. Clair isn’t graded for hazard risk: St. Clair has 710 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2010.
What St. Clair 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 St. Clair flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Clair, from FEMA’s records.
St. Clair isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Blue Earth County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Clair
Disasters that paid out in St. Clair itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Clair), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$14K to the City of St. Clair for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding52 households applied for aid$223K aid approved$758K to the City of St. Clair for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$10K to the City of St. Clair for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$131K to the City of St. Clair for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Blue Earth County has had 20 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 St. Clair after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Clair archive →Get ready for what St. Clair 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 St. Clair
Does St. Clair flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in St. Clair since 2010, $197K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is St. Clair 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 Blue Earth County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in St. Clair?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Clair’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 St. Clair?
By FEMA money that reached St. Clair, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 52 households applied for aid, $223K approved, and $758K to the City of St. Clair for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Clair.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Clair’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.