Photo: Schwerdf · CC BY 4.0New Ulm’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Ulm gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #197 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1993.
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 Ulm 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
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 Ulm’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Ulm, and New Ulm’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #197 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Ulm’s residents live in 6 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 Ulm has more expected damage per building than 72% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.1M a year in losses across New Ulm: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Ulm flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Ulm, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding3 claims · $14K
New Ulm isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brown County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Ulm
Disasters that paid out in New Ulm itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Ulm), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the City of New Ulm for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$660K to the City of New Ulm for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$160K to the City of New Ulm for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$557K to the City of New Ulm for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$57K to the City of New Ulm for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$55K to the City of New Ulm for repairs
- 2010Flooding$251K to the City of New Ulm for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$175K to the City of New Ulm for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Brown 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 New Ulm after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Ulm archive →New Ulm and its neighbors
New Ulm 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Ulm | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Milford Township | — | 760 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Courtland Township | — | 503 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Cottonwood Township | — | 861 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lafayette Township | — | 704 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 New Ulm 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.
- 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 Ulm
Is New Ulm at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Ulm has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #197 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Ulm flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in New Ulm since 1993, $53K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (3).
Is New Ulm 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 Brown County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Ulm?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Ulm’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 Ulm?
By FEMA money that reached New Ulm, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $660K to the City of New Ulm for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 3 paid, $14K.
Is New Ulm at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and New Ulm’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Ulm.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Ulm’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.