Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Mahnomen than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mahnomen gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1979.
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 stands out about Mahnomen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mahnomen 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
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 Mahnomen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mahnomen, and Mahnomen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mahnomen’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $630K a year in losses across Mahnomen: $342K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mahnomen flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mahnomen, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mahnomen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mahnomen County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mahnomen
Disasters that paid out in Mahnomen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mahnomen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$21K to the City of Mahnomen for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$45K to the City of Mahnomen for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$59K to the City of Mahnomen for repairs
Mahnomen County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mahnomen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mahnomen archive →Mahnomen and its neighbors
Mahnomen 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahnomen | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pembina Township | — | 660 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Marsh Creek Township | — | 133 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 Mahnomen 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.
- 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 Mahnomen
Is Mahnomen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mahnomen has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (14%). 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.
Does Mahnomen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Mahnomen since 1979, $1K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mahnomen 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 Mahnomen County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Mahnomen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mahnomen’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 Mahnomen?
By FEMA money that reached Mahnomen, Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes (2002): $59K to the City of Mahnomen for repairs.
Is Mahnomen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Mahnomen’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mahnomen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mahnomen’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.