Photo: davumaya · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Burnsville than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burnsville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #18 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then strong wind (20%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1979.
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 Burnsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Burnsville 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 Burnsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burnsville, and Burnsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 20%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #18 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burnsville’s residents live in 15 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, Burnsville has less expected damage per building than 94% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.0M a year in losses across Burnsville: $10.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burnsville flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burnsville, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding4 claims · $19K
Burnsville 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burnsville
Disasters that paid out in Burnsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burnsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to the City of Burnsville for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$282K to the City of Burnsville for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$284K to the City of Burnsville 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 Burnsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burnsville archive →Burnsville and its neighbors
Burnsville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. 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 |
| Bloomington | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Eagan | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Apple Valley | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lakeville | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Savage | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Burnsville 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 Burnsville
Is Burnsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burnsville has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #18 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and strong wind (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burnsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Burnsville since 1979, $520K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (4).
Is Burnsville 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 Burnsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burnsville’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 Burnsville?
By FEMA money that reached Burnsville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $284K to the City of Burnsville for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 4 paid, $19K.
Is Burnsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Burnsville’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burnsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burnsville’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.