Photo: Myotus · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Roseau than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roseau gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #270 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 182 claims here since 1979.
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 Roseau’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Roseau 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
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 Roseau’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roseau, and Roseau’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #270 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Roseau’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Minnesota town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Roseau has more expected damage per building than 99% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Roseau: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roseau flood? Yes: 182 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roseau, from FEMA’s records: 136.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain176 claims · $2.9M
Roseau isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Roseau County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roseau
Disasters that paid out in Roseau itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Roseau), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$305K to the City of Roseau for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Roseau for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$130K to the City of Roseau for repairs
- 2006Flooding$66K to the City of Roseau for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$7.6M to the City of Roseau for repairs179 flood claims paid that year
Roseau County has had 23 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 Roseau after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roseau archive →Roseau and its neighbors
Roseau 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roseau | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 182 |
| Jadis Township | — | 604 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Spruce Township | — | 511 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 Roseau 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.
- 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 Roseau
Is Roseau at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roseau has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #270 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roseau flood?
Flood insurance has paid 182 claims in Roseau since 1979, $2.9M in all, or 136.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (176).
Is Roseau 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 Roseau County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Roseau?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Roseau’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 Roseau?
By FEMA money that reached Roseau, Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes (2002): $7.6M to the City of Roseau for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 176 paid, $2.9M.
Is Roseau at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Roseau’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roseau.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roseau’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.