Charles H. Budd House · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Montevideo’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montevideo gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #236 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 114 claims here since 1978.
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 Montevideo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Montevideo 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 Montevideo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montevideo, and Montevideo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #236 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Montevideo’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, Montevideo has more expected damage per building than 86% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Montevideo: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montevideo flood? Yes: 114 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montevideo, from FEMA’s records: 44.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding33 claims · $195K
Montevideo is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chippewa County.The storms Montevideo remembers
None of the 16 disasters declared for Chippewa County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Montevideo itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199759 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Flooding, High Winds,severe Storms, declared for Chippewa County
- 200136 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Chippewa County
- 20115 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Chippewa County
Chippewa County has had 16 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 Montevideo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montevideo archive →Montevideo and its neighbors
Montevideo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 114 |
| Sparta Township | — | 678 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stony Run Township | — | 366 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 Montevideo 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.
- Montevideo residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Montevideo
Is Montevideo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montevideo has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #236 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Montevideo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 114 claims in Montevideo since 1978, $1.8M in all, or 44.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (33).
Is Montevideo 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 Chippewa County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Montevideo?
Montevideo is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Montevideo?
By flood claims, Severe flooding: 33 paid, $195K.
Is Montevideo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Montevideo’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montevideo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montevideo’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.