FEMA puts Little Canada’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little Canada gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #35 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1983.
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 Little Canada 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 Little Canada’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Little Canada, and Little Canada’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #35 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Little Canada’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, Little Canada has less expected damage per building than 88% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Little Canada: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Little Canada flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Little Canada, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $11K
Little Canada isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ramsey County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Little Canada
Disasters that paid out in Little Canada itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Little Canada), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$105K to the City of Little Canada for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$46K to the City of Little Canada for repairs
Ramsey County has had 15 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 Little Canada after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Little Canada archive →Little Canada and its neighbors
Little Canada has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Canada | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Maplewood | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Vadnais Heights | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Little Canada 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 Little Canada
Is Little Canada at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little Canada has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #35 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Little Canada flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Little Canada since 1983, $108K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Little Canada 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 Ramsey County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Little Canada?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Little Canada’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 Little Canada?
By FEMA money that reached Little Canada, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $105K to the City of Little Canada for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $11K.
Is Little Canada at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Little Canada’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Little Canada.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Little Canada’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.