Wilkin County Courthouse · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Breckenridge’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Breckenridge gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #88 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 408 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 Breckenridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Breckenridge 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 Breckenridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Breckenridge, and Breckenridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #88 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Breckenridge’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, Breckenridge has less expected damage per building than 68% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Breckenridge: $746K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Breckenridge flood? Yes: 408 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Breckenridge, from FEMA’s records: 247.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding11 claims · $7K
- The Winter storm4 claims · $10K
Breckenridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wilkin County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Breckenridge
Disasters that paid out in Breckenridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Breckenridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to the City of Breckenridge for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the City of Breckenridge for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$456K to the City of Breckenridge for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Flooding$23K to the City of Breckenridge for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storm$26K to the City of Breckenridge for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$411K to the City of Breckenridge for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
Wilkin County has had 20 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 Breckenridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Breckenridge archive →Breckenridge and its neighbors
Breckenridge is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wahpeton | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 95 |
| Breckenridge | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 408 |
| Breckenridge Township | — | 273 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Connelly Township | — | 105 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Center Township | — | 324 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 Breckenridge 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 Breckenridge
Is Breckenridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Breckenridge has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #88 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Breckenridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 408 claims in Breckenridge since 1978, $7.2M in all, or 247.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (11).
Is Breckenridge 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 Wilkin County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Breckenridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Breckenridge’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 Breckenridge?
By FEMA money that reached Breckenridge, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 17 households applied for aid, $35K approved, and $456K to the City of Breckenridge for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 11 paid, $7K.
Is Breckenridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Breckenridge’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Breckenridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Breckenridge’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.