Less hazard damage per building is expected in Baxter than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baxter gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #29 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2017.
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 Baxter 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
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 Baxter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Baxter, and Baxter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #29 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Baxter’s residents live in 4 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, Baxter has less expected damage per building than 90% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Baxter: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Baxter flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Baxter, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Baxter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Crow Wing County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Baxter
Disasters that paid out in Baxter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Baxter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$13K to the City of Baxter for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$13K to the City of Baxter for repairs
Crow Wing County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Crow Wing County, 2002–2002.
Old photos of Baxter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Baxter archive →Baxter and its neighbors
Baxter has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Brainerd | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sylvan Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Crow Wing Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fort Ripley Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Baxter 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.
- 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 Baxter
Is Baxter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baxter has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #29 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Baxter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Baxter since 2017, $15K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Baxter 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 Crow Wing County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Baxter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Baxter’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 Baxter?
By FEMA money that reached Baxter, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2022): $13K to the City of Baxter for repairs.
Is Baxter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Baxter’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Baxter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Baxter’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.