Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Winona than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winona gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #207 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Winona 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 Winona’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winona, and Winona’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 9% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #207 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winona’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, Winona has more expected damage per building than 75% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.2M a year in losses across Winona: $9.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winona flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winona, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $1K
Winona isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Winona County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winona
Disasters that paid out in Winona itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Winona), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$106K to the City of Winona for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$62K to the City of Winona for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding427 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$40K to the City of Winona for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$92K to the City of Winona for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Winona County has had 14 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 Winona after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winona archive →Winona and its neighbors
Winona has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winona | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Goodview | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Wilson Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Homer Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Buffalo | — | 725 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Fountain City | — | 835 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Rollingstone Township | — | 856 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 Winona 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 Winona
Is Winona at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winona has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #207 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winona flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Winona since 1978, $212K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Winona 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 Winona County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Winona?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winona’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 Winona?
By FEMA money that reached Winona, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 427 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $40K to the City of Winona for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Winona at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Winona’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winona.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winona’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.