Photo: Chillin662 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Moorhead’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moorhead gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1979.
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 Moorhead 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
Earthquakes
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 Moorhead’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moorhead, and Moorhead’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Moorhead’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Moorhead: $849K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moorhead flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moorhead, from FEMA’s records: 20.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $15K
Moorhead isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sunflower County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moorhead
Disasters that paid out in Moorhead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Moorhead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm436 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding76 households applied for aid$48K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Sunflower County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Moorhead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moorhead archive →Get ready for what Moorhead 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Moorhead
Is Moorhead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moorhead has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Moorhead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Moorhead since 1979, $137K in all, or 20.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (1).
Is Moorhead 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 Sunflower County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Moorhead?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moorhead’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 Moorhead?
By FEMA money that reached Moorhead, Severe Winter Storm (2026): 436 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Moorhead at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Moorhead’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moorhead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moorhead’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.