Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0Fargo’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fargo gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #15 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1,136 claims here since 1978.
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 Fargo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fargo 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 Fargo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fargo, and Fargo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #15 of 23 in North Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fargo’s residents live in 32 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, Fargo has more expected damage per building than 64% of North Dakota towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Fargo has higher expected damage per building than 56% (#224 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $48.2M, is the 256th largest of those 400.
Does Fargo flood? Yes: 1,136 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fargo, from FEMA’s records: 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Winter storm38 claims · $70K
- The Severe flooding12 claims · $16K
Fargo is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cass County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fargo
Disasters that paid out in Fargo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fargo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds$142K to the City of Fargo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Flooding$373K to the City of Fargo for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Flooding$892K to the City of Fargo for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Flooding$2.5M to the City of Fargo for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Flooding$5.6M to the City of Fargo for repairs41 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Flooding$299K to the City of Fargo for repairs
Show all 13
- 2010Flooding$2.0M to the City of Fargo for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding692 households applied for aid$777K aid approved$9.7M to the City of Fargo for repairs288 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$194K to the City of Fargo for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$570K to the City of Fargo for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$608K to the City of Fargo for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Ground Saturation$607K to the City of Fargo for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$116K to the City of Fargo for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
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 Fargo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fargo archive →Fargo and its neighbors
Fargo is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fargo | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 266 |
| Horace | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Reed Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 259 |
| Fargo | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1,136 |
| Moorhead | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 497 |
| Stanley Township | — | 276 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Moorhead Township | — | 149 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kurtz Township | — | 246 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Frontier | — | 169 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Pleasant Township | — | 452 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Briarwood | — | 60 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 Fargo 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.
- Fargo residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fargo
Is Fargo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fargo has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #15 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fargo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,136 claims in Fargo since 1978, $8.7M in all, or 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (38).
Is Fargo 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 Fargo?
Fargo is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Fargo?
By FEMA money that reached Fargo, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 692 households applied for aid, $777K approved, and $9.7M to the City of Fargo for repairs. By flood claims, Winter storm: 38 paid, $70K.
Is Fargo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Fargo’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fargo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fargo’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.