FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Independence than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #21 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (15%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Independence 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
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 Independence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Independence, and Independence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #21 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Independence’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Independence has less expected damage per building than 93% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Independence: $996K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Independence flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Independence. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Independence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hennepin County.The storms Independence remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for Hennepin County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Independence itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Hennepin County has had 14 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.
Independence and its neighbors
Independence 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medina | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Maple Plain | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Independence | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Minnetrista | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Greenfield | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Franklin Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Independence 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.
- 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 Independence
Is Independence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #21 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Independence 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 Hennepin County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Independence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Independence’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Independence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Independence’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Independence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Independence’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.