Photo: ShakataGaNai · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Ely faces less hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ely gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #1 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Ely’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ely 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 Ely’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ely, and Ely’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #1 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ely’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, Ely has less expected damage per building than 100% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Ely: $582K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ely flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ely. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ely isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Louis County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ely
Disasters that paid out in Ely itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ely), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$26K to the City of Ely for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Winds, and Flooding$2K to the City of Ely for repairs
St. Louis County has had 13 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in St. Louis County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Ely after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ely archive →Get ready for what Ely 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 Ely
Is Ely at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ely has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ely 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 St. Louis County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ely?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ely’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 Ely?
By FEMA money that reached Ely, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 12 households applied for aid, $50K approved, and $26K to the City of Ely for repairs.
Is Ely at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Ely’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ely.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ely’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.