Photo: Appraiser at English Wikipedia · Public domainFor strong wind, Apple Valley’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apple Valley gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #125 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then strong wind (14%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2019.
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 Apple Valley 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
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 Apple Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Apple Valley, and Apple Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #125 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Apple Valley’s residents live in 13 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, Apple Valley has less expected damage per building than 55% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.9M a year in losses across Apple Valley: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Apple Valley flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Apple Valley, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Apple Valley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dakota County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Apple Valley
Disasters that paid out in Apple Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Apple Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$44K to the City of Apple Valley for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$98K to the City of Apple Valley for repairs
Dakota County has had 13 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 Apple Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Apple Valley archive →Apple Valley and its neighbors
Apple Valley is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnsville | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Eagan | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Rosemount | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Apple Valley | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lakeville | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Apple Valley 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Apple Valley
Is Apple Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apple Valley has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #125 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and strong wind (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Apple Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Apple Valley since 2019, $15K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Apple Valley 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 Dakota County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Apple Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Apple Valley’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 Apple Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Apple Valley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $98K to the City of Apple Valley for repairs.
Is Apple Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Apple Valley’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Apple Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Apple Valley’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.