Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Mankato than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mankato gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #90 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims 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 Mankato’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mankato 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 Mankato’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mankato, and Mankato’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #90 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mankato’s residents live in 11 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, Mankato has less expected damage per building than 67% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.9M a year in losses across Mankato: $9.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mankato flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mankato, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding4 claims · $298K
Mankato isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Blue Earth County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mankato
Disasters that paid out in Mankato itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mankato), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding369 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$875K to the City of Mankato for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$299K to the City of Mankato for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$158K to the City of Mankato for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding65 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$60K to the City of Mankato for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$524K to the City of Mankato for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$78K to the City of Mankato for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$600K to the City of Mankato for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$40K to the City of Mankato for repairs
- 2010Flooding$235K to the City of Mankato for repairs
Blue Earth County has had 20 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 Mankato after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mankato archive →Mankato and its neighbors
Mankato has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mankato | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| North Mankato | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Kasota Township | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Belgrade Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mankato Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| South Bend Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lime Township | — | 889 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Skyline | — | 307 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 Mankato 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 Mankato
Is Mankato at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mankato has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #90 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mankato flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Mankato since 1979, $483K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (4).
Is Mankato 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 Blue Earth County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Mankato?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mankato’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 Mankato?
By FEMA money that reached Mankato, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 369 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $875K to the City of Mankato for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 4 paid, $298K.
Is Mankato at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Mankato’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mankato.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mankato’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.