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

Morrison County Disaster Risk

Morrison County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

67th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#21

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

80th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Morrison County, Minnesota

Morrison's risk sits above national average

With a composite risk score of 66.86, Morrison County faces significantly higher natural disaster risk than most U.S. counties. This "Relatively Low" rating reflects exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly flooding and wildfire, which drive the county's overall risk profile above the national baseline.

A moderate concern within Minnesota

Morrison County's risk score of 66.86 places it in the higher-risk tier statewide, well above Minnesota's average of 42.38. Among the state's 87 counties, Morrison ranks among those facing the most consistent exposure to natural hazards.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Morrison faces notably higher risk than neighboring Wadena and Cass counties. Its flood risk score of 80.15 and wildfire risk of 77.99 are the primary drivers distinguishing it from lower-risk neighbors to the east and west.

Flooding and wildfire dominate here

Morrison County residents face the greatest threat from flooding (80.15) and wildfire (77.99), both substantially elevated compared to the state average. Tornadoes present moderate risk at 49.20, making summer severe weather preparation essential for all residents.

Flood and fire insurance matter most

Given Morrison's high flood and wildfire exposure, comprehensive homeowners insurance paired with a separate flood policy is critical. Review your coverage annually and ensure it reflects current property values, especially in flood-prone areas near rivers and streams.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Morrison County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    49th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Morrison County

Risk Verdict

Morrison County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Morrison County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Morrison County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (49th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Morrison County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 80th 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. The county's second-ranked hazard, wildfire at the 78th percentile nationally, means Morrison County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. For most Morrison 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

Morrison County's composite risk score sits 24.5 points above the Minnesota county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Morrison 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 Morrison County, MN?
Morrison County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 67th 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 Morrison County?
Morrison County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (80th percentile), wildfire (78th percentile), tornado (49th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 80th 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 Morrison County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Morrison County's composite risk percentile is 67th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Morrison County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Morrison County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Morrison County's flooding risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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.
Why is Morrison County higher risk than average?
Morrison County's composite risk score of 67th percentile is above the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (80th percentile), along with wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.