Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Crookston’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crookston 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 (90%). Flood insurance has paid 48 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 Crookston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Crookston 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
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 Crookston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Crookston, and Crookston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #260 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Crookston’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, Crookston has more expected damage per building than 95% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Crookston: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Crookston flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Crookston, from FEMA’s records: 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $10K
Crookston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Crookston
Disasters that paid out in Crookston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Crookston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$85K to the City of Crookston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$38K to the City of Crookston for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the City of Crookston for repairs
- 2010Flooding$21K to the City of Crookston for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$39K to the City of Crookston for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Flooding$32K to the City of Crookston for repairs
Show all 9
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$9K to the City of Crookston for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$30K to the City of Crookston for repairs
- 1999Severe Ice Storm and Flooding$25K to the City of Crookston for repairs
Polk County has had 26 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 Crookston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Crookston archive →Crookston and its neighbors
Crookston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crookston | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Crookston Township | — | 511 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lowell Township | — | 284 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Fairfax Township | — | 172 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Andover Township | — | 119 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 Crookston 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.
- 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 Crookston
Is Crookston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Crookston 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 (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Crookston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in Crookston since 1978, $145K in all, or 12.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Crookston 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 Polk County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Crookston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Crookston’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 Crookston?
By FEMA money that reached Crookston, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2022): $85K to the City of Crookston for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Crookston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Crookston’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Crookston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Crookston’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.