Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Park Rapids than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Park Rapids gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #99 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1999.
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 stands out about Park Rapids’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Park Rapids 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
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 Park Rapids’ grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Park Rapids, and Park Rapids’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #99 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Park Rapids’ 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, Park Rapids has less expected damage per building than 64% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Park Rapids: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Park Rapids flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Park Rapids, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $6K
Park Rapids isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hubbard County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Park Rapids
Disasters that paid out in Park Rapids itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Park Rapids), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$6K to the City of Park Rapids for repairs
Hubbard County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Park Rapids after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Park Rapids archive →Park Rapids and its neighbors
Park Rapids has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Rapids | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Todd Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Henrietta Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Straight River Township | — | 790 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 Park Rapids 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.
- 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 Park Rapids
Is Park Rapids at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Park Rapids has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #99 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Park Rapids flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Park Rapids since 1999, $7K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Park Rapids 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 Hubbard County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Park Rapids?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Park Rapids’ 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 Park Rapids?
By FEMA money that reached Park Rapids, Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes (2002): $6K to the City of Park Rapids for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Park Rapids at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Park Rapids’ rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Park Rapids.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Park Rapids’ 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.