Storms, floods and disasters in Northwood
Northwood isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Northwood yet.
What Northwood 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.
Does Northwood flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Northwood. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Northwood 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northwood
Disasters that paid out in Northwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Northwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Flooding$28K to the City of Northwood for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes265 households applied for aid$414K 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 Northwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northwood archive →Get ready for what Northwood 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 Northwood
Is Northwood 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 Northwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northwood’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 Northwood?
By FEMA money that reached Northwood, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2007): 265 households applied for aid, $414K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northwood’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.