Baker, Alexander, School and E.W. Backus Junior High School · Photo: BackusAB · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in International Falls than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, International Falls gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #268 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). 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 International Falls 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 International Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in International Falls, and International Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #268 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
International Falls’ 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, International Falls has more expected damage per building than 98% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across International Falls: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does International Falls flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in International Falls. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
International Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Koochiching County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to International Falls
Disasters that paid out in International Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of International Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$121K to the City of International Falls for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$12K to the City of International Falls for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$5K to the City of International Falls for repairs
Koochiching County has had 9 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 International Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the International Falls archive →International Falls and its neighbors
International Falls has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Falls | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Ranier | — | 509 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 International Falls 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 International Falls
Is International Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, International Falls has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #268 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is International Falls 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 Koochiching County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in International Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for International Falls’ 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 International Falls?
By FEMA money that reached International Falls, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2022): $121K to the City of International Falls for repairs.
Is International Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and International Falls’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in International Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where International Falls’ 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.