Church of the Good Shepherd-Episcopal · Photo: Elkman · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Blue Earth faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blue Earth gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #260 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2018.
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 Blue Earth 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
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 Blue Earth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blue Earth, and Blue Earth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #260 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blue Earth’s residents live in 2 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, Blue Earth has more expected damage per building than 95% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Blue Earth: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blue Earth flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blue Earth, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Blue Earth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Faribault County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blue Earth
Disasters that paid out in Blue Earth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Blue Earth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$34K to the City of Blue Earth for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$21K to the City of Blue Earth for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$30K to the City of Blue Earth for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2K to the City of Blue Earth for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$6K to the City of Blue Earth for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$4K to the City of Blue Earth for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the City of Blue Earth for repairs
Faribault County has had 19 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 Blue Earth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blue Earth archive →Blue Earth and its neighbors
Blue Earth 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Earth | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Blue Earth City Township | — | 558 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Jo Daviess Township | — | 262 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 Blue Earth 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.
- 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 Blue Earth
Is Blue Earth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blue Earth has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #260 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blue Earth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Blue Earth since 2018, $17K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Blue Earth 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 Faribault County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Blue Earth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blue Earth’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 Blue Earth?
By FEMA money that reached Blue Earth, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 12 households applied for aid, $70K approved, and $34K to the City of Blue Earth for repairs.
Is Blue Earth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Blue Earth’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blue Earth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blue Earth’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.