Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Wadena than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wadena gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #9 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2014.
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 Wadena’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wadena 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
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 Wadena’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wadena, and Wadena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A #9 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wadena’s 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, Wadena has less expected damage per building than 97% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Wadena: $953K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wadena flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wadena, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wadena isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wadena County.The storms Wadena remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Wadena County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Wadena itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20142 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared for Wadena County
Wadena County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Wadena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wadena archive →Wadena and its neighbors
Wadena 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wadena | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Leaf River Township | — | 804 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wadena Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Compton Township | — | 804 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 Wadena 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.
- 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 Wadena
Is Wadena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wadena has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #9 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wadena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Wadena since 2014, $7K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wadena 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 Wadena County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wadena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wadena’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Wadena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Wadena’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wadena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wadena’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.