Emily and Stephen Schumacher House · Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, St. Peter faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Peter gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #237 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1984.
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. Peter 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 St. Peter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Peter, and St. Peter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #237 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Peter’s residents live in 3 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, St. Peter has more expected damage per building than 86% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across St. Peter: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Peter flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Peter, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding2 claims · $7K
St. Peter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nicollet County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Peter
Disasters that paid out in St. Peter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of St. Peter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$79K to the City of St. Peter for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$33K to the City of St. Peter for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the City of St. Peter for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$43K to the City of St. Peter for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$296K to the City of St. Peter for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Nicollet County has had 18 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. Peter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Peter archive →St. Peter and its neighbors
St. Peter is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kasota Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| St. Peter | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Traverse Township | — | 291 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kasota | — | 554 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Oshawa Township | — | 560 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. Peter 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. Peter
Is St. Peter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Peter has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #237 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Peter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in St. Peter since 1984, $99K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (2).
Is St. Peter 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 Nicollet County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in St. Peter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Peter’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. Peter?
By FEMA money that reached St. Peter, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $296K to the City of St. Peter for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 2 paid, $7K.
Is St. Peter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and St. Peter’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Peter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Peter’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.