Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Bemidji Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bemidji Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #189 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Bemidji Township 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 Bemidji Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bemidji Township, and Bemidji Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 5% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #189 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bemidji Township’s residents live in 5 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, Bemidji Township has more expected damage per building than 69% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Bemidji Township: $923K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bemidji Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bemidji Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bemidji Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Beltrami County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bemidji Township
Disasters that paid out in Bemidji Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bemidji Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to Bemidji Township for repairs
Beltrami County has had 18 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.
Old photos of Bemidji Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bemidji Township archive →Bemidji Township and its neighbors
Bemidji Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helga Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Grant Valley Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bemidji | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bemidji Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Frohn Township | C+more damage than 60% | 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 Bemidji Township 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 Bemidji Township
Is Bemidji Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bemidji Township has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #189 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Bemidji Township 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 Beltrami County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bemidji Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bemidji Township’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 Bemidji Township?
By FEMA money that reached Bemidji Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): $1K to Bemidji Township for repairs.
Is Bemidji Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Bemidji Township’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bemidji Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bemidji Township’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.