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

Le Sueur County Disaster Risk

Le Sueur County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#65

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Le Sueur County, Minnesota

Le Sueur sits safely below national risk

Le Sueur County's composite risk score of 22.81 earns a Very Low rating and sits well below typical U.S. natural disaster exposure. The county experiences manageable, well-distributed hazard risk.

Among Minnesota's safest counties

Le Sueur's 22.81 score falls 46% below Minnesota's average of 42.38, placing it among the state's lowest-risk areas. The county benefits from low exposure across all major hazard categories.

Comparable safety to nearby peers

Le Sueur (22.81) matches Lac qui Parle County (18.80) and Kanabec County (21.31) as one of the region's safest areas. All three rank well below the state average.

Tornado risk leads the profile

Tornado risk scores 48.41 in Le Sueur—the county's most significant hazard, though still moderate. Flood risk (34.64) and wildfire risk (16.13) present secondary and minimal concerns respectively.

Tornado preparedness is key

Ensure your home has a safe room or reinforced shelter for severe weather; verify your policy covers tornado damage. Flood insurance is optional but worth evaluating if you live in a mapped flood zone.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Le Sueur County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    48th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    35th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    16th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Le Sueur County

Risk Verdict

Le Sueur County's overall natural disaster score at the 23th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Le Sueur County's 23th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Le Sueur County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 48th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (16th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 48th percentile nationally, Le Sueur County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 35th percentile nationally means Le Sueur County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. For Le Sueur County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Le Sueur County's composite risk score sits 19.6 points below the Minnesota county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Le Sueur 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 Le Sueur County, MN?
Le Sueur County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Le Sueur County?
Le Sueur County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (48th percentile), flooding (35th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 48th 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 Le Sueur County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Le Sueur County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Le Sueur County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Le Sueur County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Le Sueur County's tornado risk is at the 48th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Le Sueur County is at the 35th 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 Le Sueur County a safe place to live?
Le Sueur County's composite risk score of 23th 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 tornado at the 48th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.