FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Dilworth than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dilworth gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #41 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Dilworth 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
Strong wind
Winter storms
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); winter storms is FEMA’s “Winter Weather” (snow, sleet and freezing rain). 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 Dilworth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dilworth, and Dilworth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #41 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dilworth’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, Dilworth has less expected damage per building than 85% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Dilworth: $919K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dilworth flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dilworth, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $19K
Dilworth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clay County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dilworth
Disasters that paid out in Dilworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dilworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$158K to the City of Dilworth for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$154K to the City of Dilworth for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$11K to the City of Dilworth for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to the City of Dilworth for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Winds, and Flooding$6K to the City of Dilworth for repairs
Clay County has had 24 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 Dilworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dilworth archive →Dilworth and its neighbors
Dilworth has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dilworth | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Moorhead | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 497 |
| Moorhead Township | — | 149 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Glyndon Township | — | 475 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 Dilworth 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Keep a shovel, a blanket and snacks in the car.
- Clear snow from furnace and dryer vents.
- Check on older neighbors when the power goes out.
- 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 Dilworth
Is Dilworth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dilworth has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #41 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (16%). 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 Dilworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Dilworth since 1979, $45K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Dilworth 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 Clay County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dilworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dilworth’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 Dilworth?
By FEMA money that reached Dilworth, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 18 households applied for aid, $14K approved, and $154K to the City of Dilworth for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $19K.
Is Dilworth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Dilworth’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dilworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dilworth’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.