Hurricanes risk in Minnesota

Hurricane risk in Minnesota: what the state actually faces

Minnesota is landlocked, roughly a thousand miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and its only "coast" is Lake Superior — a freshwater lake where tropical systems cannot survive. A hurricane cannot make landfall in Minnesota, and the NOAA National Hurricane Center does not include the state in its coastal watch and warning areas. That is why this site rates Minnesota 1 out of 5 for hurricane risk, the lowest category.

The realistic concern is not a hurricane itself but its remnants. When a tropical storm or hurricane comes ashore along the Gulf Coast, the leftover moisture and energy can be drawn northward and merge with weather systems already crossing the Midwest. On those occasions, Minnesota can receive a day or two of unusually heavy rain, gusty winds and a heightened risk of flash flooding. Remnant tropical moisture has contributed to significant rainfall and flood events in the Upper Midwest, although the heaviest totals usually fall south and east of Minnesota.

When it happens

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with activity typically peaking from mid-August through late October. Any remnant moisture reaching Minnesota would most likely arrive in late summer or early fall — which is also when soils are often already saturated from summer thunderstorms, increasing runoff.

Where the exposure is greatest

Because the threat is water rather than wind, the most exposed places are the ones that already flood:

• River valleys — the Red River of the North, the Minnesota River, the Mississippi, the St. Croix and their tributaries, where heavy rain upstream can raise water levels for days.
• Steep terrain along the North Shore and around Duluth, where intense rain can trigger flash flooding and slope failures.
• The Twin Cities metro and other urban areas, where pavement and storm sewers concentrate runoff into low-lying neighborhoods and basements.
• Lake and wetland country in central and northern Minnesota, where high water tables leave little room for extra rain.

It is worth keeping perspective: severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, hail, flash flooding, blizzards and ice storms are all far more frequent in Minnesota than anything tropical.

How it affects homes

Wind. It is very unlikely that a Minnesota home will ever face true hurricane-force sustained winds. However, the thunderstorms that accompany remnant tropical moisture can produce damaging straight-line winds and occasional tornadoes. Typical damage includes lifted or missing shingles, torn siding, broken windows, and trees or branches falling onto roofs, gutters, garages and vehicles. Power outages are common and can last for days.

Water. This is the bigger risk. Heavy rain can overwhelm storm sewers, push rivers and creeks out of their banks, and force water into basements through windows, foundation cracks and floor drains. Sump pumps fail during outages and municipal sewer systems can back up. Even a few inches of water in a finished basement can ruin drywall, flooring, furniture and mechanical systems.

Insurance considerations

• Standard homeowners insurance generally covers damage from wind, hail and falling trees, subject to your deductible. Because Minnesota has no coastline, the hurricane-specific percentage deductibles used in coastal states are not a standard feature here — but many Minnesota policies do carry separate percentage deductibles for wind and hail, so read your declarations page carefully.
• Flood damage from rising water is almost never covered by a standard homeowners policy. Coverage comes from a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer, and NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period. Coverage cannot be purchased once a storm is in the forecast.
• Sewer backup and sump pump overflow usually require an endorsement or rider. Ask your agent specifically about both.
• Document your home with photos and a household inventory, and store the record somewhere other than the basement.

How to prepare your home

Because the practical risk is heavy rain and severe storms rather than a landfalling hurricane, most of the work is ordinary storm and flood readiness.

1. Check your roof and gutters before fall. Replace lifted or missing shingles, reseal flashing, clear gutters and downspouts, and extend downspouts several feet away from the foundation.
2. Grade and seal around the foundation. Soil should slope away from the house; seal cracks in basement walls and floors and keep window wells clear and covered.
3. Test your sump pump before the wettest months and consider a battery backup or water-powered backup for power outages.
4. Install a backwater valve on basement floor drains to reduce sewer backup, and ask your insurer about backup coverage.
5. Trim and remove problem trees. Keep branches away from the roof and have dead or leaning trees assessed by a certified arborist.
6. Reinforce vulnerable openings. Make sure garage doors are in good repair and that windows and doors latch securely.
7. Store valuables and mechanicals above the floor. Raise water heaters, furnaces and electrical components where feasible, and keep important documents in a waterproof container or in the cloud.
8. Buy flood insurance if you live in or near a floodplain — and remember the 30-day waiting period.
9. Build an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, a battery or hand-crank radio, phone chargers and a NOAA Weather Radio with battery backup.
10. Know how you would leave. Learn your community's evacuation routes, sign up for local emergency alerts, and never drive through flooded roads.

Frequently asked questions

Has a hurricane ever hit Minnesota?

No. Minnesota is landlocked and far from the warm ocean waters where tropical cyclones form and travel, so a hurricane has never made landfall in the state and none is expected. What Minnesota does occasionally see is leftover moisture from tropical systems that came ashore far to the south, which can add to rainfall totals and flooding. The National Hurricane Center tracks those systems from formation to dissipation.

Do Minnesota homeowners need a separate hurricane insurance policy?

No. There is no hurricane-specific insurance market in Minnesota, and standard homeowners policies generally cover the wind and hail damage that a remnant storm would cause. The gap most homeowners overlook is flooding and sewer backup, which standard policies exclude. If your home sits in or near a floodplain, a separate flood policy is the coverage that matters most.

When should Minnesota homeowners pay attention to hurricane forecasts?

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with the greatest activity from mid-August through late October. The best time to act is before rain is in the forecast, because flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period and roof, drainage and sump pump work is far easier in dry weather. If a remnant system is forecast to push moisture into the Midwest, follow your local National Weather Service office for flash flood watches and warnings and Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management for statewide guidance.

Official resources

• Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management — statewide preparedness, alerts and recovery guidance.
• NOAA National Hurricane Center — official tropical storm and hurricane forecasts, tracks and advisories.
• Ready.gov – Hurricanes — federal guidance on preparing for and responding to tropical storms.
• FEMA Hurricane Preparedness — planning and risk-management resources for hurricanes and their remnants.