Photo: MayorMetz · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Staples faces less hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Staples gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #52 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (10%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Staples 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
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 Staples’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Staples, and Staples’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #52 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Staples’ residents live in 2 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, Staples has less expected damage per building than 81% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Staples: $756K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Staples flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Staples. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Staples isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wadena County.The storms Staples remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Wadena County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Staples itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Wadena County has had 11 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.
Staples and its neighbors
Staples 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staples | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Staples Township | — | 935 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Thomastown Township | — | 738 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Villard Township | — | 698 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 Staples 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.
- 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 Staples
Is Staples at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Staples has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #52 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Staples 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 Wadena County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Staples?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Staples’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Staples at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Staples’ rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Staples.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Staples’ 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.