Photo: Iulus Ascanius at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts North St. Paul’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North St. Paul gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #76 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2000.
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 St. Paul 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 North St. Paul’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in North St. Paul, and North St. Paul’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 11%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #76 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North St. Paul’s residents live in 3 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 St. Paul has less expected damage per building than 73% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across North St. Paul: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North St. Paul flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North St. Paul, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North St. Paul 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 North St. Paul
Disasters that paid out in North St. Paul itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North St. Paul), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$88K to the City of North St. Paul for repairs2 flood claims 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 North St. Paul after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North St. Paul archive →North St. Paul and its neighbors
North St. Paul is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maplewood | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| North St. Paul | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 St. Paul 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 North St. Paul
Is North St. Paul at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North St. Paul has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #76 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North St. Paul flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in North St. Paul since 2000, $4K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North St. Paul 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 North St. Paul?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North St. Paul’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 St. Paul?
By FEMA money that reached North St. Paul, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $88K to the City of North St. Paul for repairs.
Is North St. Paul at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and North St. Paul’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North St. Paul.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North St. Paul’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.