Photo: Billybob2002 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Moorhead faces more hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moorhead gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #257 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 497 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 Moorhead’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moorhead 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 Moorhead’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moorhead, and Moorhead’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #257 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Moorhead’s residents live in 12 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, Moorhead has more expected damage per building than 94% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.2M a year in losses across Moorhead: $18.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moorhead flood? Yes: 497 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moorhead, from FEMA’s records: 25.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm23 claims · $410K
- The Severe flooding14 claims · $18K
Moorhead is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Clay County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moorhead
Disasters that paid out in Moorhead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moorhead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$46K to the City of Moorhead for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$271K to the City of Moorhead for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$2.9M to the City of Moorhead for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Flooding$1.1M to the City of Moorhead for repairs24 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding825 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$3.5M to the City of Moorhead for repairs102 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Flooding$130K to the City of Moorhead for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Winter Storm$34K to the City of Moorhead for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$193K to the City of Moorhead for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$475K to the City of Moorhead for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Winds, and Flooding$22K to the City of Moorhead for repairs
Clay County has had 24 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 Moorhead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moorhead archive →Moorhead and its neighbors
Moorhead is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dilworth | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Fargo | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1,136 |
| Moorhead | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 497 |
| Moorhead Township | — | 149 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Oakport Township | — | 448 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Glyndon Township | — | 475 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 Moorhead 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.
- Moorhead residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Moorhead
Is Moorhead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moorhead has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #257 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moorhead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 497 claims in Moorhead since 1978, $4.6M in all, or 25.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (23).
Is Moorhead 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 Clay County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moorhead?
Moorhead is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Moorhead?
By FEMA money that reached Moorhead, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 825 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $3.5M to the City of Moorhead for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 23 paid, $410K.
Is Moorhead at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Moorhead’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moorhead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moorhead’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.