Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Two Harbors than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Two Harbors gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #2 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2012.
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 Two Harbors 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 Two Harbors’ grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Two Harbors, and Two Harbors’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #2 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Two Harbors’ 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, Two Harbors has less expected damage per building than 100% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Two Harbors: $506K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Two Harbors flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Two Harbors, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Two Harbors isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lake County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Two Harbors
Disasters that paid out in Two Harbors itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Two Harbors), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$61K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the City of Two Harbors for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the City of Two Harbors for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$3K to the City of Two Harbors for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Winds, and Flooding$49K to the City of Two Harbors for repairs
Lake County has had 9 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 Two Harbors after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Two Harbors archive →Two Harbors and its neighbors
Two Harbors has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two Harbors | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Silver Creek Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Two Harbors 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 Two Harbors
Is Two Harbors at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Two Harbors has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #2 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). 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 Two Harbors flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Two Harbors since 2012, $251K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Two Harbors 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 Lake County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Two Harbors?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Two Harbors’ 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 Two Harbors?
By FEMA money that reached Two Harbors, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 4 households applied for aid, $61K approved.
Is Two Harbors at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Two Harbors’ rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Two Harbors.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Two Harbors’ 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.