Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Minnewaukan
Minnewaukan isn’t graded for hazard risk: Minnewaukan has 191 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 1999.
What Minnewaukan 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
Ice storms
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 Minnewaukan flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Minnewaukan, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late spring storms10 claims · $1.4M
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $71K
Minnewaukan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Minnewaukan
Disasters that paid out in Minnewaukan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Minnewaukan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding18 households applied for aid$11K aid approved20 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$10K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 27 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 Minnewaukan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Minnewaukan archive →Get ready for what Minnewaukan 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Minnewaukan
Does Minnewaukan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Minnewaukan since 1999, $5.9M in all. The most claims came from Late spring storms (10).
Is Minnewaukan 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 Benson County, 100% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Minnewaukan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Minnewaukan’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 Minnewaukan?
By FEMA money that reached Minnewaukan, Flooding (2011): 18 households applied for aid, $11K approved. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 10 paid, $1.4M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Minnewaukan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Minnewaukan’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.