More hazard damage per building is expected in Pine City than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine City gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #232 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2001.
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 Pine City 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
Hail
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 Pine City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pine City, and Pine City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 6% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #232 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pine City’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, Pine City has more expected damage per building than 85% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Pine City: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pine City flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pine City, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pine City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pine County.The storms Pine City remembers
None of the 10 disasters declared for Pine County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Pine City itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20011 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Pine County
- 20111 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for Pine County
Pine County has had 10 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pine County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Pine City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pine City archive →Pine City and its neighbors
Pine City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine City | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Pine City Township | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pokegama Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Pine City 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.
- 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.
- 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 Pine City
Is Pine City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine City has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #232 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hail (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pine City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Pine City since 2001, $6K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pine City 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 Pine County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pine City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pine City’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Pine City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Pine City’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pine City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pine City’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.