Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Watertown than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watertown gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #271 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1979.
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 Watertown 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 Watertown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watertown, and Watertown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #271 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Watertown’s 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, Watertown has more expected damage per building than 99% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Watertown: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Watertown flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watertown, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Watertown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carver County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watertown
Disasters that paid out in Watertown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Watertown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$167K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$46K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$20K to the City of Watertown for repairs
Carver County has had 13 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 Watertown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Watertown archive →Watertown and its neighbors
Watertown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Watertown Township | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Watertown 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 Watertown
Is Watertown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watertown has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #271 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Watertown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Watertown since 1979, $46K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Watertown 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 Carver County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Watertown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Watertown’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 Watertown?
By FEMA money that reached Watertown, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2014): $167K to the City of Watertown for repairs.
Is Watertown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Watertown’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watertown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watertown’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.