More hazard damage per building is expected in Watab Township than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watab Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #269 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1997.
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 Watab 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
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 Watab Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watab Township, and Watab Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #269 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Watab 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, Watab Township has more expected damage per building than 98% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Watab Township: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Watab Township flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watab Township, from FEMA’s records: 17.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding9 claims · $62K
Watab 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: Benton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watab Township
Disasters that paid out in Watab Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Watab Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$2K to Watab Township for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$37K to Watab Township for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Benton County has had 10 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 Watab Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Watab Township archive →Watab Township and its neighbors
Watab 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brockway Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Langola Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Rice | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Le Sauk Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Watab Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Mayhew Lake Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Sauk Rapids Township | — | 453 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 Watab 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.
- 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 Watab Township
Is Watab Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watab Township has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #269 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (6%). 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 Watab Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Watab Township since 1997, $158K in all, or 17.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (9).
Is Watab 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 Benton County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Watab Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Watab 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 Watab Township?
By FEMA money that reached Watab Township, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $37K to Watab Township for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 9 paid, $62K.
Is Watab Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Watab Township’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watab Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watab 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.