Charles P. Noyes Cottage · Photo: Elkman · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in White Bear Lake than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Bear Lake gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #46 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Bear Lake, and White Bear Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #46 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
White Bear Lake’s residents live in 9 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, White Bear Lake has less expected damage per building than 84% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across White Bear Lake: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Bear Lake flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White Bear Lake, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $20K
White Bear Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ramsey County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to White Bear Lake
Disasters that paid out in White Bear Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of White Bear Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$50K to the City of White Bear Lake for repairs
Ramsey County has had 15 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 White Bear Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Bear Lake archive →White Bear Lake and its neighbors
White Bear Lake is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maplewood | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| White Bear Lake | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Vadnais Heights | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| White Bear Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mahtomedi | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Gem Lake | — | 483 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 White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake
Is White Bear Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Bear Lake has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #46 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does White Bear Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in White Bear Lake since 1978, $26K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is White Bear Lake 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 Ramsey County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in White Bear Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White Bear Lake’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 White Bear Lake?
By FEMA money that reached White Bear Lake, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $50K to the City of White Bear Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $20K.
Is White Bear Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and White Bear Lake’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Bear Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White Bear Lake’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.