Hotel Kaddatz · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Fergus Falls faces less hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fergus Falls gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #10 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Fergus Falls 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
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 Fergus Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fergus Falls, and Fergus Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A #10 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fergus Falls’ residents live in 4 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, Fergus Falls has less expected damage per building than 97% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Fergus Falls: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fergus Falls flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fergus Falls, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fergus Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otter Tail County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fergus Falls
Disasters that paid out in Fergus Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fergus Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the City of Fergus Falls for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$122K to the City of Fergus Falls for repairs
Otter Tail County has had 14 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 Fergus Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fergus Falls archive →Fergus Falls and its neighbors
Fergus Falls 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fergus Falls | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Aurdal Township | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fergus Falls Township | — | 860 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Buse Township | — | 612 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Orwell Township | — | 199 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Carlisle Township | — | 287 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 Fergus Falls 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.
- 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 Fergus Falls
Is Fergus Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fergus Falls has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #10 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fergus Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fergus Falls since 1997, $86K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fergus Falls 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 Otter Tail County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fergus Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fergus Falls’ 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 Fergus Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Fergus Falls, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $122K to the City of Fergus Falls for repairs.
Is Fergus Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Fergus Falls’ rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fergus Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fergus Falls’ 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.