Photo: Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Devils Lake than in 81% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Devils Lake gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #8 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%), then strong wind (17%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1996.
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 Devils Lake’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Devils Lake 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
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 Devils Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 37% of the building damage FEMA expects in Devils Lake, and Devils Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #8 of 23 in North Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Devils Lake’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, Devils Lake has less expected damage per building than 68% of North Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Devils Lake: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Devils Lake flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Devils Lake, from FEMA’s records: 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding4 claims · $120K
Devils Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ramsey County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Devils Lake
Disasters that paid out in Devils Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Devils Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding91 households applied for aid$112K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding251 households applied for aid$113K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$75K to the City of Devils Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$131K to the City of Devils Lake for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Ground Saturation$136K to the City of Devils Lake for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$221K to the City of Devils Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Ramsey 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 Devils Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Devils Lake archive →Devils Lake and its neighbors
Devils Lake is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creel Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 186 |
| Devils Lake | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| North Creel Township | — | 434 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 Devils Lake 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Devils Lake
Is Devils Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Devils Lake has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #8 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%) and strong wind (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Devils Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Devils Lake since 1996, $2.8M in all, or 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (4).
Is Devils Lake 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 Ramsey County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Devils Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Devils Lake’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 Devils Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Devils Lake, Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor (1999): $221K to the City of Devils Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 4 paid, $120K.
Is Devils Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (37%), and Devils Lake’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Devils Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Devils Lake’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.