Lyon County Disaster Risk
Lyon County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
43th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#43
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
57th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 41% 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 Lyon County, Minnesota
Lyon County faces moderate national risk
With a composite risk score of 43.48, Lyon County ranks slightly above the national average, placing it in the relatively low risk category. Flood risk is the most significant contributor to this ranking.
Slightly above Minnesota's average
Lyon County's score of 43.48 exceeds the state average of 42.38 by just over 1 point, positioning it in the middle range among Minnesota counties. This modest elevation is driven primarily by flood exposure.
Higher flood risk than neighbors
Lyon County's flood risk (57.22) significantly exceeds that of Lincoln County (28.88) and Mahnomen County (11.55) to the north and east. Tornado risk (41.28) also runs higher here than in most adjacent counties.
Flooding poses primary challenge
Flood risk (57.22) towers over other hazards and represents Lyon County's most pressing natural disaster concern. Tornado risk (41.28) and earthquake risk (15.68) are secondary but noteworthy threats.
Prioritize flood insurance now
Lyon County residents in flood-prone areas should obtain separate flood insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude this peril. Those in mapped floodplains or near water should make this a top priority.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lyon County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lyon County
Risk Verdict
Lyon County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 43th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Residents of Lyon County can use the 43th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Lyon County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (17th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Lyon County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Secondary tornado exposure at the 41th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. For most Lyon County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
At just 1.1 composite points from the Minnesota average, Lyon County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Lyon County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lyon County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect Lyon County?
How does Lyon County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is Lyon County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Lyon 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.