Photo: Jakes19 · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Moose Lake than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moose Lake gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #77 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2012.
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 Moose Lake 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
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 Moose Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moose Lake, and Moose Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #77 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Moose Lake’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Moose Lake has less expected damage per building than 72% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Moose Lake: $495K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moose Lake flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moose Lake, from FEMA’s records: 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Moose Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carlton County.The storms Moose Lake remembers
None of the 6 disasters declared for Carlton County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Moose Lake itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20123 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Carlton County
Carlton County has had 6 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 Moose Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moose Lake archive →Moose Lake and its neighbors
Moose Lake has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moose Lake | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Moose Lake Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Silver Township | — | 373 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 Moose Lake 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.
- 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 Moose Lake
Is Moose Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moose Lake has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #77 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Moose Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Moose Lake since 2012, $155K in all, or 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Moose Lake 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 Carlton County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Moose Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moose Lake’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Moose Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Moose Lake’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moose Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moose Lake’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.