Photo: Myotus · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Willmar’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willmar gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #14 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2007.
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 Willmar 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 Willmar’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Willmar, and Willmar’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A #14 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Willmar’s residents live in 6 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, Willmar has less expected damage per building than 95% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.7M a year in losses across Willmar: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Willmar flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Willmar, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $36K
Willmar isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kandiyohi County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Willmar
Disasters that paid out in Willmar itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Willmar), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$7K to the City of Willmar for repairs
Kandiyohi County has had 12 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 Willmar after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Willmar archive →Willmar and its neighbors
Willmar 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willmar | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Dovre Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Willmar Township | — | 547 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| St. Johns Township | — | 288 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 Willmar 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 Willmar
Is Willmar at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willmar has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #14 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Willmar flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Willmar since 2007, $119K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Willmar 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 Kandiyohi County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Willmar?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Willmar’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 Willmar?
By FEMA money that reached Willmar, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2022): $7K to the City of Willmar for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $36K.
Is Willmar at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Willmar’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Willmar.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Willmar’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.