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

Mahnomen County Disaster Risk

Mahnomen County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

7th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#79

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

12th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mahnomen County, Minnesota

Mahnomen County ranks among safest nationally

At 7.12, Mahnomen County's composite risk score is exceptionally low—roughly one-sixth the national average. This very low rating reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Minnesota's lowest composite risk

Mahnomen County's score of 7.12 is dramatically lower than the state average of 42.38, making it one of the safest counties in Minnesota. Virtually all hazard categories here fall well below state norms.

Safest in the northwestern region

Mahnomen County's risk profile is substantially lower than Marshall County (23.57) to the north and Lyon County (43.48) to the west. It offers notably greater natural disaster safety than surrounding areas.

Wildfire risk overshadows other threats

Wildfire risk (58.30) is notably elevated compared to other hazards in Mahnomen County, though still well below the state average. Tornado risk (22.93) and flood risk (11.55) are minimal by comparison.

Basic coverage meets needs here

Standard homeowners insurance with wind and hail protection is typically sufficient for Mahnomen County residents. Those in wooded areas should ensure wildfire coverage is included in their policy.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mahnomen County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    58th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    23th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    12th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Mahnomen County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Mahnomen County ranks at the 7th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Being ranked at the 7th percentile nationally is an advantage for Mahnomen County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Mahnomen County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 23th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (12th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Mahnomen County sits at the 58th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Mahnomen County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 23th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Mahnomen County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 35.3 points below the Minnesota state average, Mahnomen County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Mahnomen 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 Mahnomen County, MN?
Mahnomen County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 7th 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 Mahnomen County?
Mahnomen County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (58th percentile), tornado (23th percentile), flooding (12th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 58th 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 Mahnomen County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Mahnomen County's composite risk percentile is 7th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Mahnomen County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Mahnomen County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Mahnomen County's wildfire risk is at the 58th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Mahnomen County is at the 12th 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 Mahnomen County a safe place to live?
Mahnomen County's composite risk score of 7th 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 58th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Stevens County

Minnesota

-0.1

Very Low

7th percentile

Traverse County

Minnesota

-1.0

Very Low

6th percentile

Big Stone County

Minnesota

+1.4

Very Low

9th 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.

Explore more data for Mahnomen County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score