FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Waterville than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 45 claims here since 1983.
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 stands out about Waterville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waterville 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 Waterville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waterville, and Waterville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Waterville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Waterville: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waterville flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waterville, from FEMA’s records: 42.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding18 claims · $1.4M
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $4K
Waterville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Le Sueur County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waterville
Disasters that paid out in Waterville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waterville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding169 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$220K to the City of Waterville for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$15K to the City of Waterville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$52K to the City of Waterville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$102K to the City of Waterville for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the City of Waterville for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$3K to the City of Waterville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Le Sueur County has had 16 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 Waterville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waterville archive →Get ready for what Waterville 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 Waterville
Is Waterville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterville has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Waterville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in Waterville since 1983, $1.9M in all, or 42.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (18).
Is Waterville 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 Le Sueur County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Waterville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waterville’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 Waterville?
By FEMA money that reached Waterville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 169 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $220K to the City of Waterville for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 18 paid, $1.4M.
Is Waterville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Waterville’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waterville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waterville’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.