Photo: clumpinglitter · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Lindstrom than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lindstrom gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #80 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1986.
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 Lindstrom 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 Lindstrom’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lindstrom, and Lindstrom’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #80 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lindstrom’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, Lindstrom has less expected damage per building than 71% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Lindstrom: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lindstrom flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lindstrom, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lindstrom isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chisago County.The storms Lindstrom remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Chisago County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Lindstrom itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19861 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19911 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Flooding and Severe Storms, declared for Chisago County
Chisago County has had 8 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 Chisago County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Lindstrom after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lindstrom archive →Lindstrom and its neighbors
Lindstrom 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindstrom | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Chisago City | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chisago Lake Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Franconia Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Center City | — | 651 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 Lindstrom 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 Lindstrom
Is Lindstrom at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lindstrom has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #80 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lindstrom flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Lindstrom since 1986, $12K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lindstrom 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 Chisago County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lindstrom?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lindstrom’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Lindstrom at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Lindstrom’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lindstrom.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lindstrom’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.