Gutters, roofing, siding and windows in Nelson, MN

• Gutters in Nelson

  Douglas County averages 27.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). One inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof is about 623 gallons of water for the gutters to carry.

• Roofing in Nelson

  3 of the 14 hail events on record within 10 miles of Nelson from 2016 through March 31, 2026 had hail 1.5 inches or larger. The National Weather Service counts hail of 1 inch or larger as severe.

• Siding in Nelson

  The strongest thunderstorm wind on record within 10 miles of Nelson from 2016 through September 22, 2025 was 87 mph. The National Weather Service counts a thunderstorm wind of 58 mph or more as severe.

• Windows in Nelson

  48% of homes in ZIP code 56355 were built before 1980. A home built before 1980 was built before the energy codes in force today were written.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database (hail events through March 31, 2026; thunderstorm-wind and tornado events through September 22, 2025); American Community Survey 2023, 5-year; NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

Our pages cover 1 ZIP code of Nelson: 56355. ZIP code 56355 has 250 households; its median home was built in 1981, and 89% of its housing units are single-family detached. The median home value in ZIP code 56355 is $307,000, and 76% of its occupied homes are owner-occupied. The median owner-occupied home in Nelson is valued at $156,700.

• ZIP code 56355

Source: American Community Survey 2023, 5-year, by ZIP Code Tabulation Area (a ZIP code can extend beyond the city); ZIP list and address points from the Census address file.

The NOAA Storm Events Database records 14 hail events, 24 thunderstorm-wind events and 3 tornadoes within 10 miles of Nelson from 2016 through March 31, 2026 for hail and through September 22, 2025 for thunderstorm wind and tornadoes. The largest hail on record there in that period was 1.75 inches on July 19, 2019, near Osakis. 3 of those hail events had hail 1.5 inches or larger.

The closest event to the center of Nelson was 1 in hail on May 30, 2022, 1.4 miles away near Nelson. The most recent hail event within 10 miles of Nelson was on June 28, 2025: 1 in hail near Alexandria. The most recent thunderstorm-wind event within 10 miles of Nelson was on July 22, 2025, near Alexandria. The strongest thunderstorm wind recorded within 10 miles of Nelson in that period was 87 mph. The busiest year was 2022, with 9 events in all.

Apart from those database entries, NOAA weather radar indicated hail of 1 inch or larger over Nelson on 1 day from January 2025 on, most recently June 20, 2025. A radar indication is an estimate, not a report from the ground, and the counts and tables on this page do not include it.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database (hail events through March 31, 2026; thunderstorm-wind and tornado events through September 22, 2025); NOAA MRMS radar hail estimates.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database (hail events through March 31, 2026; thunderstorm-wind and tornado events through September 22, 2025).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database (hail events through March 31, 2026; thunderstorm-wind and tornado events through September 22, 2025).

Douglas County has 22,087 housing units, and 78% of them are single-family detached homes (American Community Survey 2023, 5-year). Another 3% are attached homes such as townhomes. Mobile homes make up 4% of the housing units.

The median home in Douglas County was built in 1985. 44% of homes in Douglas County were built before 1980, and 31% were built in 2000 or later. The most common building period is 2000–2009, with 4,168 homes.

76% of occupied homes in Douglas County are owner-occupied. The median owner-occupied home in Douglas County is valued at $291,700. Among occupied homes in Douglas County, 39% heat with utility gas, 24% with electricity, 30% with bottled or tank gas, 2% with fuel oil and 3% with wood.

• Year-built table and more on the Douglas County page

Source: American Community Survey 2023, 5-year (tables B25024, B25034, B25035, B25003, B25077, B25040).

Nelson is in Douglas County, so the county ratings below apply to it. Douglas County scores 47.7 of 100 for hail in FEMA's National Risk Index, which ranks 72nd of 87 Minnesota counties. Douglas County scores 73.1 of 100 for strong wind in FEMA's National Risk Index, which ranks 33rd of 87 Minnesota counties. Douglas County scores 91.8 of 100 for winter weather in FEMA's National Risk Index, which ranks 10th of 87 Minnesota counties. Of the perils listed here, the highest score in Douglas County is for winter weather, at 91.8 of 100.

Douglas County averages 27.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). The average annual temperature in Douglas County is 42°F.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, 2026 release; rank among the state's counties computed from the scores; NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

The nearest other cities we serve, by straight-line distance, are Alexandria (5.4 miles), Osakis (5.6 miles), Carlos (6.2 miles), Forada (8.1 miles), West Union (10 miles), Miltona (11 miles), Garfield (12 miles) and Villard (12 miles). The other Douglas County communities we serve are Alexandria, Brandon, Carlos, Evansville, Forada, Garfield, Kensington, Millerville, Miltona and Osakis.

• Alexandria 5.4 mi
• Osakis 5.6 mi
• Carlos 6.2 mi
• Forada 8.1 mi
• West Union 10 mi
• Miltona 11 mi
• Garfield 12 mi
• Villard 12 mi
• Westport 13 mi
• Brandon 17 mi

Our Brainerd office is at 217 S 7th St, Brainerd, MN 56401, about 60 miles from Nelson. Its hours are Monday–Friday 7:00 AM–7:00 PM. You can reach that office at (218) 833-2997.

• Brainerd office: address, hours and map