Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · CC BY 2.0Hastings’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hastings gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #133 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 24 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 Hastings 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 Hastings’ grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hastings, and Hastings’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #133 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hastings’ residents live in 8 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, Hastings has less expected damage per building than 52% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Hastings: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hastings flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hastings, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding7 claims · $94K
- The June Midwest Flooding1 claim · $5K
Hastings isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dakota County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hastings
Disasters that paid out in Hastings itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hastings), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$148K to the City of Hastings for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$3.5M to the City of Hastings for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Dakota County has had 13 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 Hastings after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hastings archive →Hastings and its neighbors
Hastings has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Marshan Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Denmark Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Ravenna Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Nininger Township | — | 908 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 Hastings 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 Hastings
Is Hastings at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hastings has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #133 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hastings flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Hastings since 1978, $194K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (7).
Is Hastings 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 Dakota County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hastings?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hastings’ 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 Hastings?
By FEMA money that reached Hastings, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2001): $3.5M to the City of Hastings for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 7 paid, $94K.
Is Hastings at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Hastings’ rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hastings.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hastings’ 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.