Photo: In memoriam afiler · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Mekinock Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mekinock Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 stands out about Mekinock Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mekinock Township 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
Hail
Ice storms
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 Mekinock Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mekinock Township, and Mekinock Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mekinock Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $764K a year in losses across Mekinock Township: $589K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mekinock Township flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mekinock Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mekinock Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grand Forks County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Mekinock Township
Disasters that paid out in Mekinock Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Mekinock Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Grand Forks County has had 34 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 Mekinock Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mekinock Township archive →Mekinock Township and its neighbors
Mekinock Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks AFB | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Mekinock Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hegton Township | — | 371 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Gilby Township | — | 87 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Chester Township | — | 75 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Blooming Township | — | 235 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lakeville Township | — | 149 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 Mekinock Township 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Mekinock Township
Is Mekinock Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mekinock Township has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mekinock Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Mekinock Township since 1979, $89K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Mekinock Township 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 Grand Forks County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mekinock Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mekinock Township’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 Mekinock Township?
By FEMA money that reached Mekinock Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 2 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Mekinock Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Mekinock Township’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mekinock Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mekinock Township’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.