Eastwood Park Bridge · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Minot than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minot gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #3 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 616 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 Minot’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Minot 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
Winter 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); winter storms is FEMA’s “Winter Weather” (snow, sleet and freezing rain). 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 Minot’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Minot, and Minot’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A #3 of 23 in North Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Minot’s residents live in 13 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, Minot has less expected damage per building than 91% of North Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.2M a year in losses across Minot: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Minot flood? Yes: 616 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Minot, from FEMA’s records: 25.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms440 claims · $54.5M
Minot is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ward County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Minot
Disasters that paid out in Minot itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Minot), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$359K to the City of Minot for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$183K to the City of Minot for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Flooding6,961 households applied for aid$85.2M aid approved$9.1M to the City of Minot for repairs453 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Flooding$26K to the City of Minot for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding112 households applied for aid$165K aid approved$116K to the City of Minot for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Winter Storm and Record And/or Near Record Snow$102K to the City of Minot for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$12K to the City of Minot for repairs
- 2004Snow$26K to the City of Minot for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$241K to the City of Minot for repairs
Ward 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 Minot after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Minot archive →Minot and its neighbors
Minot has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 616 |
| Nedrose Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Harrison Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sundre Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Afton Township | — | 800 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Eureka Township | — | 109 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 Minot 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.
- Keep a shovel, a blanket and snacks in the car.
- Clear snow from furnace and dryer vents.
- Check on older neighbors when the power goes out.
- 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.
- Minot residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Minot
Is Minot at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Minot has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #3 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Minot flood?
Flood insurance has paid 616 claims in Minot since 1979, $56.9M in all, or 25.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (440).
Is Minot 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 Ward County, 4.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Minot?
Minot is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Minot?
By FEMA money that reached Minot, Flooding (2011): 6,961 households applied for aid, $85.2M approved, and $9.1M to the City of Minot for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 440 paid, $54.5M.
Is Minot at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Minot’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Minot.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Minot’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.