Durand Free Library · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0Durand’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Durand gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1982.
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 Durand’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Durand 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 Durand’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Durand, and Durand’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Durand’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $968K a year in losses across Durand: $668K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Durand flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Durand, from FEMA’s records: 23.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding2 claims · $34K
Durand isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pepin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Durand
Disasters that paid out in Durand itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Durand), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2001Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes$23K to the City of Durand for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Pepin County has had 10 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 Durand after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Durand archive →Get ready for what Durand 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 Durand
Is Durand at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Durand has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (13%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Durand flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Durand since 1982, $223K in all, or 23.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (2).
Is Durand 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 Pepin County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Durand?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Durand’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 Durand?
By FEMA money that reached Durand, Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2001): $23K to the City of Durand for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 2 paid, $34K.
Is Durand at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Durand’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Durand.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Durand’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.