George D. Dayton House · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Worthington’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Worthington gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #129 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 59 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 Worthington 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
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 Worthington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Worthington, and Worthington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #129 of 274 in Minnesota; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Worthington’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, Worthington has less expected damage per building than 53% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Worthington: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Worthington flood? Sometimes: 59 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Worthington, from FEMA’s records: 11.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding8 claims · $15K
- The June Midwest Flooding6 claims · $31K
- The Severe flooding5 claims · $14K
Worthington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nobles County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Worthington
Disasters that paid out in Worthington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Worthington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding253 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Nobles County has had 17 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 Worthington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Worthington archive →Worthington and its neighbors
Worthington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worthington | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Worthington Township | — | 438 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lorain Township | — | 244 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 Worthington 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.
- 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 Worthington
Is Worthington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Worthington has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #129 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Worthington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 59 claims in Worthington since 1978, $199K in all, or 11.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (8).
Is Worthington 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 Nobles County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Worthington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Worthington’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 Worthington?
By FEMA money that reached Worthington, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 253 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 8 paid, $15K.
Is Worthington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Worthington’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Worthington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Worthington’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.