Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0Reed Township’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reed Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 259 claims here since 1978.
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 Reed Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Reed 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
Strong wind
Hail
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 Reed Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Reed Township, and Reed Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Reed Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $780K a year in losses across Reed Township: $578K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Reed Township flood? Yes: 259 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Reed Township, from FEMA’s records: 657.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding27 claims · $52K
- The Severe flooding16 claims · $17K
Reed 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: Cass County.The storms Reed Township remembers
None of the 30 disasters declared for Cass County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Reed Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199787 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Flooding,severe Winter Storms, Snowmelt, Spring Rains, declared for Cass County
- 200939 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Cass County
- 199327 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Cass County
Cass County has had 30 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 Reed Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Reed Township archive →Reed Township and its neighbors
Reed Township is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fargo | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 266 |
| Reed Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 259 |
| Fargo | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1,136 |
| Oakport Township | — | 448 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Harwood | — | 819 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Reile's Acres | — | not graded yet | |
| Raymond Township | — | 171 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Harwood Township | — | 289 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| North River | — | 70 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kragnes Township | — | 218 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 Reed 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Reed Township
Is Reed Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reed Township has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Reed Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 259 claims in Reed Township since 1978, $908K in all, or 657.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (27).
Is Reed 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 Cass County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Reed Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Reed 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 Reed Township?
By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 27 paid, $52K.
Is Reed Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Reed Township’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Reed Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Reed 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.