Photo: Lorie Shaull · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Thomson 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, Thomson Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #246 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1985.
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 Thomson 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
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 Thomson Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thomson Township, and Thomson Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #246 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Thomson Township’s 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, Thomson Township has more expected damage per building than 90% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Thomson Township: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Thomson Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Thomson Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Thomson 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: Carlton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Thomson Township
Disasters that paid out in Thomson Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Thomson Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to Thomson Township for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$133K to Thomson Township for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$10K to Thomson Township for repairs
Carlton County has had 6 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 Thomson Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thomson Township archive →Thomson Township and its neighbors
Thomson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solway Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Midway Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Twin Lakes Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cloquet | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Thomson Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Carlton | — | 875 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Scanlon | — | not graded yet | |
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 Thomson 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.
- 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 Thomson Township
Is Thomson Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thomson Township has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #246 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Thomson Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Thomson Township since 1985, $227K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Thomson 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 Carlton County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Thomson Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thomson 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 Thomson Township?
By FEMA money that reached Thomson Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2012): $133K to Thomson Township for repairs.
Is Thomson Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Thomson Township’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thomson Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thomson 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.