Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Detroit Lakes’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Detroit Lakes gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #5 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1997.
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 Detroit Lakes 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
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 Detroit Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Detroit Lakes, and Detroit Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A #5 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Detroit Lakes’ residents live in 5 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, Detroit Lakes has less expected damage per building than 99% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Detroit Lakes: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Detroit Lakes flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Detroit Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Detroit Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Becker County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Detroit Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Detroit Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Detroit Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the City of Detroit Lakes for repairs
Becker County has had 16 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 Detroit Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Detroit Lakes archive →Detroit Lakes and its neighbors
Detroit Lakes has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lakes | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Detroit Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Burlington Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lake View Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Detroit Lakes 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.
- 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 Detroit Lakes
Is Detroit Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Detroit Lakes has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #5 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Detroit Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Detroit Lakes since 1997, $53K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Detroit Lakes 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 Becker County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Detroit Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Detroit Lakes’ 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 Detroit Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Detroit Lakes, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): $9K to the City of Detroit Lakes for repairs.
Is Detroit Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Detroit Lakes’ rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Detroit Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Detroit Lakes’ 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.