Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0For ice storms, Thompson’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thompson gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1997.
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 Thompson 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 Thompson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thompson, and Thompson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Thompson’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $603K a year in losses across Thompson: $418K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Thompson flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Thompson, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Thompson 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Thompson
Disasters that paid out in Thompson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Thompson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$14K to the City of Thompson for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$14K to the City of Thompson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Flooding$9K to the City of Thompson for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$13K to the City of Thompson for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$13K to the City of Thompson for repairs
Show all 7
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$166K to the City of Thompson for repairs
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 Thompson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thompson archive →Thompson and its neighbors
Thompson has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Walle Township | — | 352 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Allendale Township | — | 595 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 Thompson 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 Thompson
Is Thompson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thompson has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (10%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Thompson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Thompson since 1997, $8K in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Thompson 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 Thompson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thompson’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 Thompson?
By FEMA money that reached Thompson, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation (2001): $166K to the City of Thompson for repairs.
Is Thompson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Thompson’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thompson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thompson’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.