Photo: Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Cando’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 67% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cando gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%), then ice storms (35%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Cando’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cando 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
Ice storms
Wildfire
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 Cando’s grade
River and rain flooding is 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cando, and Cando’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 35%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cando’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Cando: $412K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cando flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cando. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cando
Disasters that paid out in Cando itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cando), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$17K to the City of Cando for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$7K to the City of Cando for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$1K to the City of Cando for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$28K to the City of Cando for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$73K to the City of Cando for repairs
Towner County has had 25 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 Cando after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cando archive →Get ready for what Cando 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Cando
Is Cando at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cando has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%) and ice storms (35%). 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.
Is Cando 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.
How much is flood insurance in Cando?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cando’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 Cando?
By FEMA money that reached Cando, Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor (1999): $73K to the City of Cando for repairs.
Is Cando at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Cando’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cando.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cando’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.