Carver County Disaster Risk
Carver County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
60th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#24
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
60th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Carver County, Minnesota
Carver's risk profile is moderate nationally
Carver County scores 59.67 with a "Relatively Low" rating, placing it slightly above the national average and indicating above-average exposure to natural hazards. The county's risk landscape is shaped primarily by tornado and flood threats rather than rarer events.
Carver ranks higher than most Minnesota counties
Carver County's composite score of 59.67 exceeds Minnesota's state average of 42.38 by a significant margin, reflecting greater-than-typical disaster exposure for the state. This positions Carver among Minnesota's counties with elevated natural hazard vulnerability.
Carver faces more tornado risk than neighbors
While Carver's overall score of 59.67 is moderate, its tornado risk of 79.48 substantially exceeds neighboring Clay County (62.02) and Chisago County (64.15). This spike makes tornadoes the defining hazard for Carver residents.
Tornadoes pose Carver's primary threat
Carver County's tornado risk score of 79.48 is the dominant hazard, requiring serious preparedness from all residents and businesses. Flood risk (60.37) ranks second, while wildfire risk (39.34) remains relatively modest compared to state peers.
Tornado and flood coverage protects Carver homes
Carver residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes tornado coverage and consider separate flood insurance given the 60.37 flood risk score. A tornado safe room or shelter and a regularly updated emergency plan are critical for Carver families.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Carver County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Carver County
Risk Verdict
Carver County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 60th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Carver County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Carver County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (39th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 79th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Carver County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Carver County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 60th percentile nationally means Carver County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Carver County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 17.3 points above the Minnesota state average puts Carver County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Carver County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Carver County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect Carver County?
How does Carver County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is Carver County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Carver 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.