Water Damage Restoration in Minneapolis, MN

First Steps for Water in a Home in Minneapolis

• Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
• Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
• Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.

Minneapolis Flood Record

NOAA has 48 flood and flash flood reports for the 13 Minnesota counties of the Twin Cities metro area from 2016 to 2025, on 23 separate days; July had the most.

At the Minneapolis 0.4 NE gauge, June is the wettest month with 4.7 inches on average.

Freezing Nights in Minneapolis

Minneapolis averages 147 nights a year at or below 32°F (Lower St. Anthony Falls station). About 84 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 88 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 13 Minnesota counties of the Twin Cities metro area from 2016 to 2025.

Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).

Storms and Disasters in Twin Cities

The 13 Minnesota counties of the Twin Cities metro area were named in 4 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).

Notable NOAA storm reports

• August 17, 2022: Flash flood (Isanti County)Several observations from local media to law enforcement indicated flooding occurring in the Cambridge city limits.
• August 5, 2019: Hail, 4 inch hail (Wright County)The four inch diameter hailstone was measured with a ruler, and posted on social media.
• July 28, 2019: Tornado, EF1 (Washington County)An EF1 tornado spun up on the southwest side of Sylvan Lake and continued northeast in a broken path through Bone Lake, and moved into Chisago County on 240th Street North, east of Morgan Avenue.
• September 20, 2018: Thunderstorm wind, 96 mph gust (Le Sueur County)A NWS storm survey, plus drone footage, concluded that there was significant damage to the south of the tornado track in the town of Waterville. Damage was consistent with downburst winds and inflow winds into the tornadic storm.
• September 21, 2016: Flash flood (Anoka County)Flood waters caused numerous roads to become impassable on either side of University Avenue, between Highway 610 at Coon Rapids Blvd, and I-694.

Federal disaster declarations

• June 28, 2024: Severe Storms And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4797
• July 19, 2023: Severe Storms And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4722
• June 12, 2019: Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4442
• November 2, 2016: Severe Storms And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4290

Minneapolis Housing at a Glance

Census figures for the city of Minneapolis (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 209,080 housing units, a median build year of 1951, 72% built before 1980, 64% before 1970, 48% owner occupied.

Minnesota Insurance Rules for Water Claims

Minnesota insurers must finish investigating and accept or deny a claim within 30 business days after notice, unless the investigation cannot reasonably be finished in that time (Minn. Stat. 72A.201).

Claim problems in Minnesota go to the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Minneapolis flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.

Restoration Cost Guide for Minneapolis

Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.

Areas Served Around Minneapolis

The same 24/7 line covers the Twin Cities metro area, including:

• Minneapolis
• St. Paul
• Bloomington
• Brooklyn Park
• Woodbury
• Plymouth
• Lakeville
• Blaine
• Maple Grove
• Eagan
• Burnsville
• Coon Rapids

Water damage restoration in all cities

Questions

When is the first freeze in Minneapolis?

The median first night at or below 32°F is October 16 and the median last is April 23 at the Lower St. Anthony Falls station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).

How fast does mold start?

Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).