Red Wing Waterworks · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0For strong wind, Red Wing’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Wing gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #179 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1993.
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 Red Wing 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 Red Wing’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Wing, and Red Wing’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #179 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Wing’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, Red Wing has more expected damage per building than 65% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Red Wing: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Wing flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Wing, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding6 claims · $165K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $4K
Red Wing isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Goodhue County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Wing
Disasters that paid out in Red Wing itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Red Wing), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$216K to the City of Red Wing for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$82K to the City of Red Wing for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$66K to the City of Red Wing for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Red Wing for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$50K to the City of Red Wing for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
Goodhue 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 Red Wing after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Wing archive →Red Wing and its neighbors
Red Wing 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Red Wing | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Diamond Bluff | — | 451 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wacouta Township | — | 366 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hay Creek Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Featherstone Township | — | 819 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Welch Township | — | 774 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Isabelle | — | 234 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 Red Wing 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 Red Wing
Is Red Wing at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Wing has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #179 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Red Wing flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Red Wing since 1993, $291K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (6).
Is Red Wing 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 Goodhue County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Wing?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Wing’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 Red Wing?
By FEMA money that reached Red Wing, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 9 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $216K to the City of Red Wing for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 6 paid, $165K.
Is Red Wing at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Red Wing’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Wing.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Wing’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.