Photo: AlexiusHoratius · CC BY-SA 3.0Wabasha’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wabasha gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #137 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 56 claims here since 1986.
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 Wabasha’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wabasha 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 Wabasha’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wabasha, and Wabasha’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #137 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wabasha’s residents live in 2 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, Wabasha has less expected damage per building than 50% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Wabasha: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wabasha flood? Sometimes: 56 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wabasha, from FEMA’s records: 40.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding16 claims · $219K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $253
Wabasha isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wabasha County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wabasha
Disasters that paid out in Wabasha itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wabasha), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$300K to the City of Wabasha for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$105K to the City of Wabasha for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the City of Wabasha for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$120K to the City of Wabasha for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
Wabasha 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 Wabasha after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wabasha archive →Wabasha and its neighbors
Wabasha 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wabasha | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| Greenfield Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pepin Township | — | 380 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Nelson | — | 470 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 Wabasha 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 Wabasha
Is Wabasha at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wabasha has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #137 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wabasha flood?
Flood insurance has paid 56 claims in Wabasha since 1986, $607K in all, or 40.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (16).
Is Wabasha 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 Wabasha County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wabasha?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wabasha’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 Wabasha?
By FEMA money that reached Wabasha, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): $300K to the City of Wabasha for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 16 paid, $219K.
Is Wabasha at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Wabasha’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wabasha.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wabasha’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.