Photo: Myotus · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts New Brighton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Brighton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #102 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2001.
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 New Brighton 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
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 New Brighton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Brighton, and New Brighton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #102 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Brighton’s residents live in 5 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, New Brighton has less expected damage per building than 63% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.4M a year in losses across New Brighton: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Brighton flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Brighton, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding2 claims · $10K
New Brighton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ramsey County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to New Brighton
Disasters that paid out in New Brighton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Brighton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$3K to the City of New Brighton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Ramsey County has had 15 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 New Brighton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Brighton archive →New Brighton and its neighbors
New Brighton is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Anthony | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Arden Hills | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| New Brighton | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Mounds View | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 New Brighton 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.
- 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 New Brighton
Is New Brighton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Brighton has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #102 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Brighton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in New Brighton since 2001, $97K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (2).
Is New Brighton 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 Ramsey County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Brighton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Brighton’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 New Brighton?
By FEMA money that reached New Brighton, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $3K to the City of New Brighton for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 2 paid, $10K.
Is New Brighton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and New Brighton’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Brighton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Brighton’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.