riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Lake County Disaster Risk

Lake County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#52

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

30th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lake County, Minnesota

Lake County's risk is moderate and manageable

Lake County's composite risk score of 33.94 earns a Very Low rating and falls below the national average. The county faces concentrated wildfire risk offset by low exposure to tornadoes and earthquakes.

Below-average for Minnesota

Lake County's 33.94 score runs 20% below Minnesota's average of 42.38, placing it in the safer portion of the state. Wildfire risk (62.34) exceeds state norms and dominates the county's hazard profile.

Higher wildfire risk than most neighbors

Lake County (33.94) sits between Koochiching County (31.49) and Kanabec County (21.31) in overall risk. However, its wildfire score of 62.34 substantially exceeds both neighbors' wildfire exposure.

Wildfire dominates Lake County's threats

Wildfire risk reaches 62.34—by far Lake County's most pressing hazard—while flood risk (29.80) remains moderate. Tornado risk is minimal at 10.72.

Wildfire coverage is critical

Confirm your homeowners policy includes wildfire protection and create defensible space around your property by clearing brush and overhanging branches. Flood insurance is optional but worth considering if you're near a water body or low-lying area.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lake County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    30th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    11th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lake County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Lake County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 34th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Lake County's favorable 34th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Lake County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 30th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (11th percentile), earthquake (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 62th percentile nationally for wildfire, Lake County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 30th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Lake County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Lake County is 8.4 composite risk points below the Minnesota state mean, meaning most other Minnesota counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Lake County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lake County, MN?
Lake County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Lake County?
Lake County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (62th percentile), flooding (30th percentile), tornado (11th percentile), earthquake (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 62th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Lake County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Lake County's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lake County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Lake County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lake County's wildfire risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lake County is at the 30th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Lake County a safe place to live?
Lake County's composite risk score of 34th percentile is below the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 62th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Redwood County

Minnesota

+1.1

Very Low

35th percentile

Hubbard County

Minnesota

+1.2

Very Low

35th percentile

Koochiching County

Minnesota

-2.4

Very Low

31th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.

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