riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Blue Earth County Disaster Risk

Blue Earth County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

72th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

66th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% 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

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Blue Earth County

Risk Verdict

Blue Earth County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 72th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Blue Earth County, scoring in the 77th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 66th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (32th), earthquake (16th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Blue Earth County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Blue Earth County is significantly riskier than the average county in Minnesota. Its composite risk score is 29.8 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Blue Earth County, MN?
Blue Earth County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 72th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Blue Earth County?
Blue Earth County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (77th percentile), flooding (66th percentile), wildfire (32th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 77th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Blue Earth County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Blue Earth County's composite risk percentile is 72th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Blue Earth County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Blue Earth County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Blue Earth County's tornado risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Blue Earth County is at the 66th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Blue Earth County higher risk than average?
Blue Earth County's composite risk score of 72th percentile is above the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (77th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Clay County

Minnesota

+1.5

Relatively Low

74th percentile

Carlton County

Minnesota

-2.1

Relatively Low

70th percentile

Winona County

Minnesota

-2.7

Relatively Low

69th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.

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