John G. Lund House · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0Canby’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canby gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then strong wind (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1994.
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 Canby 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
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 Canby’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canby, and Canby’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Canby’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Canby: $762K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canby flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canby, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Canby isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yellow Medicine County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canby
Disasters that paid out in Canby itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Canby), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$41K to the City of Canby for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$22K to the City of Canby for repairs
- 2010Flooding$2K to the City of Canby for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storm$24K to the City of Canby for repairs
Yellow Medicine County has had 19 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 Canby after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canby archive →Canby and its neighbors
Canby 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canby | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Norman Township | — | 291 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hammer Township | — | 169 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 Canby 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.
- 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 Canby
Is Canby at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canby has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and strong wind (11%). 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 Canby flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Canby since 1994, $2K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Canby 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 Yellow Medicine County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Canby?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canby’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 Canby?
By FEMA money that reached Canby, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2022): $41K to the City of Canby for repairs.
Is Canby at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Canby’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canby.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canby’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.