Cook County Disaster Risk
Cook County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
11th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#76
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
20th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Cook County, Minnesota
Cook County ranks among America's safest regions
Cook County's composite risk score of 11.23 with a "Very Low" rating places it among the nation's most protected counties from major natural disasters. This exceptionally low exposure provides residents with one of the lowest disaster risk profiles in the United States.
Cook ranks second-lowest in Minnesota risk
Cook County scores 11.23, well below Minnesota's state average of 42.38 and second only to Clearwater County (4.17) in statewide safety rankings. This positions Cook among Minnesota's most resilient and disaster-resistant counties.
Cook is region's second-safest county overall
Cook County (11.23) trails only Clearwater (4.17) but substantially outperforms neighboring Carlton (70.07) and Clay (73.66) in safety. The county's northeastern Lake Superior location provides natural protection from many hazards affecting interior Minnesota.
Wildfire is Cook's only meaningful hazard
Cook County's wildfire risk score of 79.58 is notably elevated, reflecting its boreal forest geography and fire ecology. However, flood (19.85), tornado (2.89), and earthquake risks are nearly nonexistent, making fire the sole significant hazard.
Wildfire awareness matters most for Cook residents
Cook County residents should focus fire preparedness efforts on wildfire defense—creating defensible space, maintaining evacuation routes, and following seasonal fire restrictions. Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate coverage for most risks, with wildfire awareness being the primary personal protection measure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Cook County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Cook County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Cook County ranks at the 11th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. The 11th percentile national ranking is one lens; Cook County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Cook County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 20th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (3th percentile), earthquake (0th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Cook County sits at the 80th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Cook County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's flood exposure at the 20th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Cook County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
At 31.2 points below the Minnesota state average, Cook County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Cook County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Cook County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect Cook County?
How does Cook County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is Cook County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Cook 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.