For tornadoes, Albert Lea’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albert Lea gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #127 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1978.
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 Albert Lea’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Albert Lea 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 Albert Lea’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Albert Lea, and Albert Lea’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #127 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Albert Lea’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Albert Lea has less expected damage per building than 54% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across Albert Lea: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Albert Lea flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Albert Lea, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding2 claims · $22K
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $3K
Albert Lea isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Freeborn County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Albert Lea
Disasters that paid out in Albert Lea itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Albert Lea), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding123 households applied for aid$600K aid approved$382K to the City of Albert Lea for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding190 households applied for aid$357K aid approved$83K to the City of Albert Lea for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$37K to the City of Albert Lea for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$9K to the City of Albert Lea for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Albert Lea for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$45K to the City of Albert Lea for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding327 households applied for aid$854K aid approved$159K to the City of Albert Lea for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$8K to the City of Albert Lea for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Freeborn County has had 18 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 Albert Lea after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Albert Lea archive →Albert Lea and its neighbors
Albert Lea has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Lea | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Albert Lea Township | — | 428 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bancroft Township | — | 752 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Pickerel Lake Township | — | 742 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Albert Lea 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 Albert Lea
Is Albert Lea at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albert Lea has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #127 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Albert Lea flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Albert Lea since 1978, $756K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (2).
Is Albert Lea 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 Freeborn County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Albert Lea?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Albert Lea’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 Albert Lea?
By FEMA money that reached Albert Lea, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 327 households applied for aid, $854K approved, and $159K to the City of Albert Lea for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 2 paid, $22K.
Is Albert Lea at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Albert Lea’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Albert Lea.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Albert Lea’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.