Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Granite Falls than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Granite Falls gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #216 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 113 claims here since 1978.
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 Granite Falls’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Granite 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 Granite Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Granite Falls, and Granite Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #216 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Granite Falls’ 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, Granite Falls has more expected damage per building than 79% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Granite Falls: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Granite Falls flood? Yes: 113 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Granite Falls, from FEMA’s records: 90.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding28 claims · $325K
Granite 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: Yellow Medicine County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Granite Falls
Disasters that paid out in Granite Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Granite Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$54K to the City of Granite Falls for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$375K to the City of Granite Falls for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$56K to the City of Granite Falls for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$19K to the City of Granite Falls for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$25K to the City of Granite Falls for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the City of Granite Falls for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Flooding$88K to the City of Granite Falls for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the City of Granite Falls for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$589K to the City of Granite Falls for repairs28 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$1.4M to the City of Granite Falls for repairs
Yellow Medicine County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Granite Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Granite Falls archive →Granite Falls and its neighbors
Granite Falls 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granite Falls | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 113 |
| Granite Falls Township | — | 275 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Minnesota Falls Township | — | 396 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stony Run Township | — | 366 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 Granite 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 Granite Falls
Is Granite Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Granite Falls has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #216 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Granite Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 113 claims in Granite Falls since 1978, $1.7M in all, or 90.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (28).
Is Granite 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 Yellow Medicine County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Granite Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Granite 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 Granite Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Granite Falls, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $1.4M to the City of Granite Falls for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 28 paid, $325K.
Is Granite Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Granite Falls’ rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Granite Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Granite 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.