Beltrami County Disaster Risk
Beltrami County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
61th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#23
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
73th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Beltrami County, Minnesota
Beltrami: Above-Average Risk Statewide
Beltrami County's composite risk score of 60.56 places it in the Relatively Low category but well above Minnesota's state average of 42.38. This rural northern county experiences significantly more natural disaster exposure than most of its peers statewide.
Upper-Middle Risk Among State Counties
Beltrami County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Minnesota's 87 counties for composite disaster risk, with its 60.56 score exceeding roughly two-thirds of statewide counties. The county's exposure reflects its northern location and landscape vulnerabilities.
Higher Risk Than Most Regional Peers
Beltrami County (60.56) faces notably higher risks than neighboring Becker County (37.40) and is comparable to Aitkin County (56.58). Its wildfire and flood exposures place it among the more vulnerable counties in northern Minnesota.
Wildfire and Flood Dominate Hazards
Beltrami residents face elevated wildfire risk (82.47) and flooding exposure (72.55), making these the county's primary natural disaster concerns. Tornado risk is moderate at 40.78, but the combination of fire and water hazards requires focused preparedness planning.
Prioritize Flood and Fire Coverage
Beltrami County residents should secure separate flood insurance—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage—and evaluate wildfire protection for properties in or near forested areas. Consider home hardening measures against fire, such as defensible landscaping, and ensure your homeowners policy includes storm and tornado coverage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Beltrami County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Beltrami County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 61th, Beltrami County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Beltrami County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 73th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (41th percentile), earthquake (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 82th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Beltrami County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. The county's flood exposure at the 73th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Beltrami County residents.
Regional Context
At 18.2 points above the Minnesota state average, Beltrami County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Minnesota county.
Is your household prepared for Beltrami County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Beltrami County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect Beltrami County?
How does Beltrami County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is Beltrami County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Beltrami County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.