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

Mille Lacs County Disaster Risk

Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

28th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#56

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

Mille Lacs County below national risk

Mille Lacs County's composite risk score of 28.50 falls below the national average, earning a very low risk rating. This reflects manageable exposure to natural disasters compared to most U.S. counties.

Safer than Minnesota's average

Mille Lacs County's score of 28.50 is roughly one-third lower than the state average of 42.38, placing it among the safer Minnesota counties. However, specific hazards require targeted attention.

Wildfire risk stands out here

Mille Lacs County's wildfire risk (65.81) is notably higher than most neighbors, though tornado risk (30.82) and flood risk (46.22) remain moderate. The wildfire exposure reflects the county's woodland geography.

Wildfire and flood are primary concerns

Wildfire risk (65.81) is Mille Lacs County's most significant hazard, reflecting substantial forested acreage, while flood risk (46.22) also merits attention. Tornado risk (30.82) is secondary.

Wildfire and flood coverage essential

Mille Lacs County residents, especially those in wooded areas, should verify wildfire coverage in their homeowners policy. Properties near water or in flood-prone zones should secure separate flood insurance.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mille Lacs County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    66th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    46th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    31th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Mille Lacs County

Risk Verdict

Mille Lacs County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 28th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Mille Lacs County's favorable 28th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Mille Lacs County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 46th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (31th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Mille Lacs County's primary hazard at the 66th percentile nationally. For Mille Lacs County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary flood exposure at the 46th percentile nationally means Mille Lacs County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Mille Lacs County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Minnesota county average, Mille Lacs County's composite score runs 13.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Mille Lacs 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 Mille Lacs County, MN?
Mille Lacs County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 28th 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 Mille Lacs County?
Mille Lacs County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (66th percentile), flooding (46th percentile), tornado (31th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 66th 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 Mille Lacs County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Mille Lacs County's composite risk percentile is 28th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Mille Lacs County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Mille Lacs County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Mille Lacs County's wildfire risk is at the 66th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Mille Lacs County is at the 46th 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 Mille Lacs County a safe place to live?
Mille Lacs County's composite risk score of 28th 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 66th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Cottonwood County

Minnesota

-0.8

Very Low

28th percentile

Houston County

Minnesota

+1.0

Very Low

30th percentile

Yellow Medicine County

Minnesota

+1.5

Very Low

30th 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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