Photo: Billybob2002 · CC BY 4.0For tornadoes, West Fargo’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Fargo gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #11 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 266 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 West Fargo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West 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 West Fargo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Fargo, and West Fargo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #11 of 23 in North Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Fargo’s residents live in 10 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, West Fargo has less expected damage per building than 55% of North Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across West Fargo: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Fargo flood? Yes: 266 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Fargo, from FEMA’s records: 16.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding16 claims · $24K
- The Winter storm13 claims · $11K
West Fargo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cass County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Fargo
Disasters that paid out in West Fargo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Fargo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Flooding$42K to the City of West Fargo for repairs
- 2019Flooding$46K to the City of West Fargo for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Flooding$170K to the City of West Fargo for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Flooding$59K to the City of West Fargo for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding68 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$417K to the City of West Fargo for repairs53 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the City of West Fargo for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Ground Saturation$238K to the City of West Fargo for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$93K to the City of West Fargo for repairs
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 West Fargo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Fargo archive →West Fargo and its neighbors
West Fargo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Mapleton Township | — | 250 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Barnes Township | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Raymond Township | — | 171 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 West 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Fargo
Is West Fargo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Fargo has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #11 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Fargo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 266 claims in West Fargo since 1978, $603K in all, or 16.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (16).
Is West 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 West Fargo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Fargo’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 West Fargo?
By FEMA money that reached West Fargo, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 68 households applied for aid, $24K approved, and $417K to the City of West Fargo for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 16 paid, $24K.
Is West Fargo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and West Fargo’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Fargo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West 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.