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–Not graded
Natural hazards in River Falls · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in River Falls

River Falls isn’t graded for hazard risk: River Falls has 403 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.

Flood claims
0
paid since 1978 · $0
Disasters paid out here
3
of 29 declared for Covington County
By hazard

What River Falls faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

Hurricanes

54%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 6 years in the area

River and rain flooding

41%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Earthquakes Strong wind Wildfire Ice storms Lightning Hail Winter storms Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does River Falls flood? No paid flood claims on record

FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in River Falls. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.

of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

River Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Covington County.
Disasters

3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to River Falls

Disasters that paid out in River Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of River Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the Town of River Falls for repairs
  2. 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
  3. 2004Hurricane Ivan32 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in River FallsCovington County only

Covington County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.

Were you here?

Old photos of River Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the River Falls archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what River Falls faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

Hurricane season
  • The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
  • Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
  • Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
More from Ready.gov ↗
When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in River Falls

Is River Falls 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 Covington County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in River Falls?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for River Falls’ 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 River Falls?

By FEMA money that reached River Falls, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 32 households applied for aid, $30K approved.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in River Falls.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where River Falls’ 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.