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

Lake of the Woods County Disaster Risk

Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#85

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

18th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% 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 of the Woods County, Minnesota

Lake of the Woods is among safest nationally

With a composite risk score of just 3.53, Lake of the Woods County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in the United States. The county experiences minimal exposure to most natural hazards.

The safest county in Minnesota

Lake of the Woods' 3.53 score is only 8% of Minnesota's average (42.38), making it the state's lowest-risk county. Virtually all hazard categories score near zero.

Virtually unmatched in safety

Lake of the Woods (3.53) and Kittson County (4.80) represent Minnesota's two safest areas, separated by less than a point. Both dramatically outpace any other regional counties in natural disaster safety.

Wildfire the only registered concern

Wildfire risk scores 55.44—Lake of the Woods' sole notable hazard—while flood, tornado, and earthquake risks all register below 18. The county's overall risk profile is remarkably balanced and low.

Minimal coverage concerns

Standard homeowners insurance should provide ample protection for your property. Verify wildfire coverage is included and maintain property defensibility, but flood insurance is unlikely necessary.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lake of the Woods County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    55th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    18th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    5th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lake of the Woods County

Risk Verdict

Lake of the Woods County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 4th percentile nationally. At the 4th percentile, Lake of the Woods County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Lake of the Woods County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 18th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (5th percentile), earthquake (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 55th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Lake of the Woods County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. A secondary flood exposure at the 18th percentile nationally means Lake of the Woods County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Lake of the Woods County residents.

Regional Context

Lake of the Woods County falls 38.9 points below Minnesota's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Lake of the Woods 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 of the Woods County, MN?
Lake of the Woods County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 4th 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 of the Woods County?
Lake of the Woods County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (55th percentile), flooding (18th percentile), tornado (5th percentile), earthquake (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 55th 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 of the Woods County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Lake of the Woods County's composite risk percentile is 4th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lake of the Woods County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Lake of the Woods County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lake of the Woods County's wildfire risk is at the 55th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lake of the Woods County is at the 18th 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 of the Woods County a safe place to live?
Lake of the Woods County's composite risk score of 4th 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 55th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Grant County

Minnesota

-0.5

Very Low

3th percentile

Clearwater County

Minnesota

+0.6

Very Low

4th percentile

Kittson County

Minnesota

+1.3

Very Low

5th 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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