Storms, floods and disasters in Sawyer
Sawyer isn’t graded for hazard risk: Sawyer has 353 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1979.
What Sawyer 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
Hail
Wildfire
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 Sawyer flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sawyer, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late spring storms3 claims · $49K
Sawyer is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ward County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sawyer
Disasters that paid out in Sawyer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sawyer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding69 households applied for aid$260K aid approved$185K to the City of Sawyer for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$1K to the City of Sawyer for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storm and Record And/or Near Record Snow$5K to the City of Sawyer for repairs
Ward 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 Sawyer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sawyer archive →Get ready for what Sawyer 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Sawyer residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sawyer
Does Sawyer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Sawyer since 1979, $50K in all. The most claims came from Late spring storms (3).
Is Sawyer 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 Ward County, 4.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sawyer?
Sawyer is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Sawyer?
By FEMA money that reached Sawyer, Flooding (2011): 69 households applied for aid, $260K approved, and $185K to the City of Sawyer for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 3 paid, $49K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sawyer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sawyer’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.