Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Hibbing’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hibbing gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #95 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1979.
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 Hibbing 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
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 Hibbing’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hibbing, and Hibbing’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #95 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hibbing’s residents live in 5 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, Hibbing has less expected damage per building than 66% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.3M a year in losses across Hibbing: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hibbing flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hibbing, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $2K
Hibbing isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: St. Louis County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hibbing
Disasters that paid out in Hibbing itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hibbing), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding108 households applied for aid$380K aid approved$85K to the City of Hibbing for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$39K to the City of Hibbing for repairs
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$96K to the City of Hibbing for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Winds, and Flooding$384K to the City of Hibbing for repairs
St. Louis County has had 13 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in St. Louis County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Hibbing after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hibbing archive →Hibbing and its neighbors
Hibbing 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hibbing | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Nashwauk Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cherry Township | — | 792 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Balkan Township | — | 843 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lone Pine Township | — | 523 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lavell Township | — | 325 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Keewatin | — | not graded yet | |
| Nashwauk | — | 926 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Great Scott Township | — | 471 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 Hibbing 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.
- 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 Hibbing
Is Hibbing at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hibbing has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #95 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hibbing flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Hibbing since 1979, $2K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Hibbing 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 St. Louis County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hibbing?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hibbing’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 Hibbing?
By FEMA money that reached Hibbing, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 108 households applied for aid, $380K approved, and $85K to the City of Hibbing for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Hibbing at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Hibbing’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hibbing.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hibbing’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.