Lake Bemidji State Park CCC/NYA/Rustic Style Historic Resources · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Northern Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northern Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #213 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Northern Township 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 Northern Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northern Township, and Northern Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C #213 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northern Township’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, Northern Township has more expected damage per building than 78% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Northern Township: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northern Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Northern Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Northern Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Beltrami County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northern Township
Disasters that paid out in Northern Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Northern Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to Northern Township for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$14K to Northern Township for repairs
Beltrami 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 Northern Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northern Township archive →Northern Township and its neighbors
Northern Township is 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eckles Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Grant Valley Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Turtle River Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Turtle Lake Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bemidji | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Frohn Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Northern Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Northern Township 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 Northern Township
Is Northern Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northern Township has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #213 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Northern Township 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 Beltrami County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Northern Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northern Township’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 Northern Township?
By FEMA money that reached Northern Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $19K to Northern Township for repairs.
Is Northern Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Northern Township’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northern Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northern Township’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.