Casselton Commercial Historic District · Photo: Andrew Filer (afiler) · CC BY-SA 2.0For tornadoes, Casselton’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Casselton gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Casselton 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 Casselton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Casselton, and Casselton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Casselton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Casselton: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Casselton flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Casselton, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Casselton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cass County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Casselton
Disasters that paid out in Casselton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Casselton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding$5K to the City of Casselton for repairs
- 2010Flooding$3K to the City of Casselton for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$513 aid approved$31K to the City of Casselton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$793 to the City of Casselton for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$10K to the City of Casselton for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Ground Saturation$10K to the City of Casselton for repairs
Cass County has had 30 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 Casselton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Casselton archive →Casselton and its neighbors
Casselton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casselton | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Everest Township | — | 98 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Casselton Township | — | 37 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 Casselton 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 Casselton
Is Casselton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Casselton has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (18%). 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 Casselton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Casselton since 1979, $28K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Casselton 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 Cass County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Casselton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Casselton’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 Casselton?
By FEMA money that reached Casselton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 3 households applied for aid, $513 approved, and $31K to the City of Casselton for repairs.
Is Casselton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Casselton’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Casselton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Casselton’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.