On FEMA’s figures, Foley faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Foley gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #149 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (10%). 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 Foley 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
Hail
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 Foley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Foley, and Foley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #149 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Foley’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, Foley has more expected damage per building than 54% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Foley: $824K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Foley flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Foley, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Foley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Benton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Foley
Disasters that paid out in Foley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Foley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$27K to the City of Foley for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$13K to the City of Foley for repairs
Benton County has had 10 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 Foley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Foley archive →Foley and its neighbors
Foley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foley | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Gilmanton Township | — | 906 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 Foley 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Foley
Is Foley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Foley has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #149 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Foley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Foley since 1997, $7K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Foley 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 Benton County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Foley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Foley’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 Foley?
By FEMA money that reached Foley, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2013): $27K to the City of Foley for repairs.
Is Foley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Foley’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Foley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Foley’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.