Williams, Spafford, Hotel · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Caledonia than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Caledonia gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #36 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 Caledonia 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
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 Caledonia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Caledonia, and Caledonia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Lightning adds 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #36 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Caledonia’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Caledonia has less expected damage per building than 87% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Caledonia: $681K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Caledonia flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Caledonia, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Caledonia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houston County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Caledonia
Disasters that paid out in Caledonia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Caledonia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$83K to the City of Caledonia for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$750 to the City of Caledonia for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding63 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$3K to the City of Caledonia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$558 to the City of Caledonia for repairs
Houston 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 Caledonia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Caledonia archive →Caledonia and its neighbors
Caledonia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caledonia | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Caledonia Township | — | 596 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mayville 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 Caledonia 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.
- 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 Caledonia
Is Caledonia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Caledonia has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #36 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Caledonia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Caledonia since 2007, $5K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Caledonia 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 Houston County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Caledonia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Caledonia’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 Caledonia?
By FEMA money that reached Caledonia, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 63 households applied for aid, $122K approved, and $3K to the City of Caledonia for repairs.
Is Caledonia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Caledonia’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Caledonia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Caledonia’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.