Zumbrota Covered Bridge · Photo: McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Zumbrota faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zumbrota gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #222 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1998.
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 Zumbrota 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 Zumbrota’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Zumbrota, and Zumbrota’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #222 of 274 in Minnesota; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Zumbrota’s residents live in 2 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, Zumbrota has more expected damage per building than 81% of Minnesota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Zumbrota: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Zumbrota flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Zumbrota, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Zumbrota isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Goodhue County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Zumbrota
Disasters that paid out in Zumbrota itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Zumbrota), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$5K to the City of Zumbrota for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the City of Zumbrota for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$77K to the City of Zumbrota for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes$37K to the City of Zumbrota for repairs
Goodhue 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 Zumbrota after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Zumbrota archive →Zumbrota and its neighbors
Zumbrota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zumbrota | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Zumbrota Township | — | 692 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Minneola Township | — | 677 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Pine Island Township | — | 669 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Roscoe Township | — | 896 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 Zumbrota 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 Zumbrota
Is Zumbrota at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zumbrota has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #222 of 274 in Minnesota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Zumbrota flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Zumbrota since 1998, $52K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Zumbrota 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 Goodhue County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Zumbrota?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Zumbrota’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 Zumbrota?
By FEMA money that reached Zumbrota, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $77K to the City of Zumbrota for repairs.
Is Zumbrota at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Zumbrota’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Zumbrota.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Zumbrota’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.