Photo: Jon Platek · CC BY-SA 3.0Redwood Falls’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redwood Falls gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #196 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then tornadoes (11%). 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 Redwood Falls 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
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 Redwood Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Redwood Falls, and Redwood Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #196 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Redwood Falls’ 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, Redwood Falls has more expected damage per building than 71% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Redwood Falls: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Redwood Falls flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Redwood Falls. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Redwood Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Redwood County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Redwood Falls
Disasters that paid out in Redwood Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Redwood Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$151K to the City of Redwood Falls for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$157K to the City of Redwood Falls for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$254K to the City of Redwood Falls for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$196K to the City of Redwood Falls for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$79K to the City of Redwood Falls for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the City of Redwood Falls for repairs
Show all 8
- 2010Flooding$74K to the City of Redwood Falls for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$86K to the City of Redwood Falls for repairs
Redwood County has had 17 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 Redwood Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Redwood Falls archive →Redwood Falls and its neighbors
Redwood Falls has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redwood Falls | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Paxton Township | — | 702 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Redwood Falls Township | — | 186 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Delhi Township | — | 349 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Beaver Falls Township | — | 256 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 Redwood Falls 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.
- 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 Redwood Falls
Is Redwood Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redwood Falls has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #196 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Redwood Falls 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 Redwood County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Redwood Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Redwood Falls’ 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 Redwood Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Redwood Falls, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2014): $254K to the City of Redwood Falls for repairs.
Is Redwood Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Redwood Falls’ rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Redwood Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Redwood Falls’ 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.