Kittson County Disaster Risk
Kittson County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
5th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#83
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
14th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 1% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Kittson County, Minnesota
Kittson is Minnesota's safest county
Kittson County's composite risk score of 4.80 ranks among the lowest in the entire nation, earning a Very Low rating. The county faces dramatically lower natural disaster exposure than typical U.S. communities.
Safest county in all of Minnesota
Kittson's score of 4.80 is just 11% of the state average (42.38), making it by far Minnesota's lowest-risk county. Only earthquake and wildfire risks register above minimal levels.
Far safer than surrounding areas
Kittson's 4.80 score dwarfs Lake of the Woods County (3.53, which is the only Minnesota county with even lower risk). Both represent exceptional safety compared to virtually any surrounding region.
Wildfire is the only notable threat
Wildfire risk scores 74.46 in Kittson—the county's lone significant hazard—while tornado and flood risks remain minimal at 13.55 and 13.55 respectively. Earthquake risk is negligible at 0.54.
Focus on wildfire preparedness
Despite low overall risk, ensure your homeowners policy includes wildfire coverage and maintain defensible space around your property. Standard coverage is likely sufficient for other hazards, but verify with your insurance agent.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Kittson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Kittson County
Risk Verdict
Kittson County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 5th percentile nationally. At the 5th percentile nationally, Kittson County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Kittson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 14th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (14th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire is Kittson County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 74th percentile nationally. Kittson County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 14th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Kittson County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.
Regional Context
The Minnesota county average exceeds Kittson County's score by 37.6 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Kittson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Kittson County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect Kittson County?
How does Kittson County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is Kittson County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Kittson 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.