Nicollet County Disaster Risk
Nicollet County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
45th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#39
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
50th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 50% 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
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% 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 Nicollet County, Minnesota
Nicollet slightly outpaces national average
Nicollet County's composite risk score of 45.39 sits in the "Relatively Low" category and marginally above the national average. The county's tornado risk of 57.00 drives most of its exposure, while flood and earthquake risks remain moderate.
Right around Minnesota's average
At 45.39, Nicollet County's risk score nearly matches Minnesota's statewide average of 42.38, placing it squarely in the middle tier. This positions Nicollet as a moderate-concern county without extreme exposure to any single hazard.
Moderate risk in balanced region
Nicollet County faces comparable risk to nearby Blue Earth and Brown counties, though it exceeds the lower-risk profile of Murray County to the west. Its tornado exposure at 57.00 slightly outpaces the regional average.
Tornadoes and flooding are primary threats
Nicollet County residents face moderate tornado risk at 57.00 and flood risk at 50.32, both meaningfully above state average. Wildfire and earthquake pose minimal concern, allowing residents to focus preparedness on spring and summer severe weather.
Flood insurance and storm safety key
Nicollet County residents should maintain flood insurance and a designated storm shelter or safe room for tornado season. Review your homeowners policy annually to ensure adequate coverage for wind and water damage from severe storms.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Nicollet County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Nicollet County
Risk Verdict
Nicollet County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 45th percentile across all U.S. counties. Residents of Nicollet County can use the 45th 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
Tornado risk is Nicollet County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (17th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 57th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Nicollet County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Nicollet County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 50th percentile nationally means Nicollet County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. Nicollet County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
Nicollet County's composite risk score is within 3.0 points of the Minnesota county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Nicollet County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Nicollet County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect Nicollet County?
How does Nicollet County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is Nicollet County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Nicollet 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.