Hugo’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hugo gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #160 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1993.
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 Hugo 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 Hugo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hugo, and Hugo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #160 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hugo’s residents live in 3 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, Hugo has more expected damage per building than 58% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Hugo: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hugo flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hugo, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hugo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.The storms Hugo remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Washington County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Hugo itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19931 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding, declared for Washington County
- 20031 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Washington 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 Washington County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Hugo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hugo archive →Hugo and its neighbors
Hugo is 3rd of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| White Bear Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hugo | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| May Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Forest Lake | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lino Lakes | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Hugo 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 Hugo
Is Hugo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hugo has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #160 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hugo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hugo since 1993, $4K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hugo 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 Washington County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hugo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hugo’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Hugo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Hugo’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hugo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hugo’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.