Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Crary
Crary isn’t graded for hazard risk: Crary has 114 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
What Crary 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
Strong wind
Wildfire
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.
Does Crary flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crary, from FEMA’s records.
Crary isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ramsey County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crary
Disasters that paid out in Crary itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crary), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding9 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$58K to the City of Crary for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$12K to the City of Crary for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$4K to the City of Crary for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Ground Saturation$1K to the City of Crary for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$1K to the City of Crary for repairs
Ramsey County has had 25 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 Crary after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crary archive →Get ready for what Crary 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Crary
Does Crary flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Crary since 2010, $7K in all.
Is Crary 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 Ramsey County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Crary?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crary’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 Crary?
By FEMA money that reached Crary, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 17 households applied for aid, $37K approved, and $58K to the City of Crary for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crary.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crary’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.