Armstrong, W. J., Company Wholesale Grocers · Photo: Jatakuck · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Waseca’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waseca gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #40 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2016.
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 Waseca 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
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 Waseca’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waseca, and Waseca’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #40 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waseca’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, Waseca has less expected damage per building than 86% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Waseca: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waseca flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waseca, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding1 claim · $57K
Waseca isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waseca County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waseca
Disasters that paid out in Waseca itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waseca), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding32 households applied for aid$188K aid approved$14K to the City of Waseca for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding615 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$204K to the City of Waseca for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$26K to the City of Waseca for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$35K to the City of Waseca for repairs
Waseca County has had 11 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 Waseca after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waseca archive →Waseca and its neighbors
Waseca has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waseca | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Woodville Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| St. Mary Township | — | 484 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 Waseca 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.
- 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 Waseca
Is Waseca at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waseca has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #40 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waseca flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Waseca since 2016, $91K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Waseca 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 Waseca County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Waseca?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waseca’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 Waseca?
By FEMA money that reached Waseca, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 615 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $204K to the City of Waseca for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $57K.
Is Waseca at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Waseca’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waseca.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waseca’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.