Dakota’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dakota gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hail (23%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2004.
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 Dakota 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
Hail
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.
What’s behind Dakota’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dakota, and Dakota’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 23%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dakota’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $634K a year in losses across Dakota: $400K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dakota flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dakota, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $16K
Dakota isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waushara County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Dakota
Disasters that paid out in Dakota itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dakota), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of Dakota for repairs
Waushara County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Dakota after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dakota archive →Dakota and its neighbors
Dakota is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wautoma | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dakota | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wautoma | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Marion | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Crystal Lake | — | 451 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Richford | — | not graded yet | |
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 Dakota 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.
- 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.
- 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 Dakota
Is Dakota at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dakota has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hail (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dakota flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Dakota since 2004, $57K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Dakota 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 Waushara County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dakota?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dakota’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 Dakota?
By FEMA money that reached Dakota, Severe Storms and Flooding (2002): $12K to the Town of Dakota for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Dakota at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Dakota’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dakota.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dakota’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.