Photo: James Shelton32 · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in St. Paul
St. Paul isn’t graded for hazard risk: St. Paul has 963 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1978.
What St. Paul 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
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 St. Paul flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Paul, from FEMA’s records.
St. Paul isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Russell County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. Paul
Disasters that paid out in St. Paul itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of St. Paul), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$51K to the Town of St. Paul for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene26 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$42K to the Town of St. Paul for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of St. Paul for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,floodind, and Mudslide2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$3K to the Town of St. Paul for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$23K to the Town of St. Paul for repairs
Russell County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of St. Paul after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Paul archive →St. Paul and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castlewood | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 St. Paul 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.
- 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 St. Paul
Does St. Paul flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in St. Paul since 1978, $17K in all.
Is St. Paul 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 Russell County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in St. Paul?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Paul’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 St. Paul?
By FEMA money that reached St. Paul, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 26 households applied for aid, $24K approved, and $42K to the Town of St. Paul for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Paul.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Paul’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.