Photo: Skvader · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Halstad
Halstad isn’t graded for hazard risk: Halstad has 509 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1997.
What Halstad 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
Ice 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). 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.
Does Halstad flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Halstad, from FEMA’s records.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $1K
Halstad isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Norman County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Halstad
Disasters that paid out in Halstad itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Halstad), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$36K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Norman County has had 27 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 Halstad after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Halstad archive →Get ready for what Halstad 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Halstad
Does Halstad flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Halstad since 1997, $41K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Halstad 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 Norman County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Halstad?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Halstad’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 Halstad?
By FEMA money that reached Halstad, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 20 households applied for aid, $36K approved. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $1K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Halstad.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Halstad’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.