Big Stone County Disaster Risk
Big Stone County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
9th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#78
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
14th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 23% 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 Big Stone County, Minnesota
Big Stone: Minnesota's Safest County
Big Stone County's composite risk score of just 8.52 ranks it in the Very Low category—one of the safest counties in Minnesota and far below the state average of 42.38. This southwestern Minnesota county experiences minimal natural disaster exposure across all major hazard types.
Lowest Risk in the Entire State
Big Stone County ranks as Minnesota's lowest-risk county by composite score, with exceptional safety compared to all 87 counties statewide. Its 8.52 score places it in an entirely different risk category from most Minnesota communities.
Dramatically Safer Than Regional Peers
Big Stone County (8.52) is substantially safer than all neighboring counties, including Brown County (50.38), Benton County (51.34), and Blue Earth County (72.20). It stands as a clear outlier for safety in its region and across the state.
Minimal Risk Across All Hazards
Big Stone County residents face very low tornado risk (23.25), minimal flooding (13.58), and low wildfire exposure (32.03). The county's overall safety profile means natural disaster preparedness, while always prudent, is less urgent than in most Minnesota communities.
Standard Coverage Is Generally Sufficient
Big Stone County residents with basic homeowners and auto insurance have solid protection against the county's minimal natural disaster risks. Maintaining emergency supplies and staying weather-aware remain good practices, but the urgency for specialized flood or wildfire insurance is low.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Big Stone County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Big Stone County
Risk Verdict
Big Stone County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 9th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. The 9th percentile national ranking is one lens; Big Stone County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Big Stone County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 32th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 23th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (14th percentile), earthquake (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Big Stone County's primary hazard at the 32th percentile nationally. For Big Stone County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary tornado exposure at the 23th percentile nationally means Big Stone County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Big Stone County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Compared to the Minnesota county average, Big Stone County's composite score runs 33.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Big Stone County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Big Stone County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect Big Stone County?
How does Big Stone County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is Big Stone County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Big Stone County a safe place to live?
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.