Photo: SDHO · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Richfield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richfield gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #49 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1978.
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 Richfield 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
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 Richfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richfield, and Richfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 13%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #49 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richfield’s residents live in 11 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, Richfield has less expected damage per building than 82% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.4M a year in losses across Richfield: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richfield flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richfield, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Richfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hennepin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Richfield
Disasters that paid out in Richfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$101K to the City of Richfield for repairs
Hennepin County has had 14 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 Richfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richfield archive →Richfield and its neighbors
Richfield has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richfield | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Edina | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Bloomington | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Minneapolis | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
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 Richfield 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.
- 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 Richfield
Is Richfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richfield has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #49 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Richfield since 1978, $30K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Richfield 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 Hennepin County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Richfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richfield’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 Richfield?
By FEMA money that reached Richfield, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2014): $101K to the City of Richfield for repairs.
Is Richfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Richfield’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richfield’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.