Freeborn County Disaster Risk
Freeborn County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
51th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#30
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
49th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Freeborn County, Minnesota
Freeborn moderately below national average
Freeborn County's composite risk score of 50.99 with Relatively Low rating sits moderately above the national average, indicating balanced but manageable natural disaster exposure. This profile reflects typical Upper Midwest hazard patterns.
Slightly above Minnesota's average
At 50.99, Freeborn County ranks above Minnesota's 42.38 average, placing it in the moderate-risk band across the state. Roughly half of Minnesota counties face comparable or lower disaster vulnerability.
Riskier than neighboring Dodge County
Freeborn's 50.99 far exceeds safe Dodge County (14.22) but aligns closely with Fillmore County (49.78) and Faribault County (45.52). This positioning reflects southern Minnesota's generally moderate hazard exposure.
Tornadoes represent primary threat
Tornado risk dominates in Freeborn County at 79.64, well above state and national averages, with flood risk at 49.14 providing secondary concern. Wildfire risk remains relatively low at 24.36.
Tornado protection is priority one
Freeborn County residents must carry homeowners insurance with a dedicated tornado or severe weather rider to address the county's most significant threat. Install a weather alert system and identify or create a safe room for protection during violent storms.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Freeborn County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Freeborn County
Risk Verdict
Freeborn County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 51th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Freeborn County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Freeborn County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (24th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 80th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Freeborn County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Freeborn County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Freeborn County at the 49th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Freeborn 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 8.6 points above the Minnesota state average puts Freeborn County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Freeborn County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Freeborn County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect Freeborn County?
How does Freeborn County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is Freeborn County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Freeborn 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.