North Mankato Public School · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0North Mankato’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Mankato gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #134 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 North Mankato 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
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 North Mankato’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Mankato, and North Mankato’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 16%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #134 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Mankato’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, North Mankato has less expected damage per building than 51% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across North Mankato: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Mankato flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Mankato, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding2 claims · $7K
- The June Midwest Flooding1 claim · $13K
North Mankato isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nicollet County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Mankato
Disasters that paid out in North Mankato itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Mankato), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding78 households applied for aid$246K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Nicollet County has had 18 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 North Mankato after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Mankato archive →North Mankato and its neighbors
North Mankato is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mankato | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| North Mankato | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Belgrade Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mankato Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 North Mankato 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.
- 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 North Mankato
Is North Mankato at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Mankato has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #134 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Mankato flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in North Mankato since 1978, $131K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (2).
Is North Mankato 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 Nicollet County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in North Mankato?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Mankato’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 North Mankato?
By FEMA money that reached North Mankato, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 78 households applied for aid, $246K approved. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 2 paid, $7K.
Is North Mankato at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and North Mankato’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Mankato.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Mankato’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.