Photo: Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) · CC BY-SA 2.0For hail, Beulah’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beulah gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #14 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hail (18%). Flood insurance has paid 54 claims here since 1997.
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 stands out about Beulah’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Beulah 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
Hail
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 Beulah’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beulah, and Beulah’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #14 of 23 in North Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beulah’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Dakota town has lower expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Beulah has more expected damage per building than 59% of North Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Beulah: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beulah flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beulah, from FEMA’s records: 32.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm28 claims · $353K
Beulah isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beulah
Disasters that paid out in Beulah itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beulah), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Straight-line Winds$13K to the City of Beulah for repairs
- 2011Flooding$28K to the City of Beulah for repairs
- 2010Flooding$27K to the City of Beulah for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding111 households applied for aid$328K aid approved$15K to the City of Beulah for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storm and Record And/or Near Record Snow$9K to the City of Beulah for repairs
- 2004Snow$6K to the City of Beulah for repairs
Mercer County has had 21 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 Beulah after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beulah archive →Get ready for what Beulah 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.
- 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.
- 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 Beulah
Is Beulah at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beulah has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #14 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hail (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beulah flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Beulah since 1997, $576K in all, or 32.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Winter storm (28).
Is Beulah 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 Mercer County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Beulah?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beulah’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 Beulah?
By FEMA money that reached Beulah, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 111 households applied for aid, $328K approved, and $15K to the City of Beulah for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 28 paid, $353K.
Is Beulah at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Beulah’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beulah.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beulah’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.