Clay County Disaster Risk
Clay County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
74th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#14
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
82th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Clay County, Minnesota
Clay County faces elevated U.S. disaster risk
Clay County's composite risk score of 73.66 with a "Relatively Low" rating places it well above the national average, indicating substantial exposure to multiple natural hazards. The county ranks among America's higher-risk regions, particularly for flooding and wildfire.
Clay ranks among Minnesota's riskiest counties
Clay County scores 73.66, significantly exceeding Minnesota's state average of 42.38 by 74 percent, making it one of the state's most disaster-prone counties. This elevation reflects the county's northwestern Minnesota geography and susceptibility to water-based and fire hazards.
Clay is the region's highest-risk county by far
Clay County (73.66) substantially exceeds neighboring Carlton (70.07), Chisago (44.53), and Chippewa (36.99), making it the region's clear risk leader. The county's extreme flood risk of 82.44 drives much of this elevation.
Flooding is Clay's defining natural disaster threat
Clay County's flood risk score of 82.44 is exceptionally high, reflecting the county's location in the Red River Valley with its documented flooding history. Wildfire (65.97) and tornado (62.02) risks compound the flood threat, creating a multi-hazard environment.
Flood insurance is non-negotiable for Clay residents
Clay County homeowners must secure flood insurance immediately, as the 82.44 flood risk score indicates severe and frequent inundation exposure—standard policies will not cover flood losses. Additionally, maintain wildfire defensibility and review tornado preparedness given the county's three-pronged hazard profile.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Clay County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Clay County
Risk Verdict
Clay County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Clay County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Clay County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (62th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Clay County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Alongside flooding, wildfire exposure at the 66th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. For most Clay County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
Clay County's composite risk score sits 31.3 points above the Minnesota county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Clay County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Clay County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect Clay County?
How does Clay County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is Clay County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Clay 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.