riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Otter Tail County Disaster Risk

Otter Tail County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

79th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#9

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

83th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Otter Tail County

Risk Verdict

Otter Tail County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 79th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Otter Tail County, scoring in the 84th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 83th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (79th), earthquake (19th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Otter Tail County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Otter Tail County is significantly riskier than the average county in Minnesota. Its composite risk score is 37 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

Is your home insured against Otter Tail County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

High flood risk area

Learn about NFIP flood insurance coverage for your property.

Learn More →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Otter Tail County, MN?
Otter Tail County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 79th 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 Otter Tail County?
Otter Tail County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (84th percentile), flooding (83th percentile), wildfire (79th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 84th 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 Otter Tail County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Otter Tail County's composite risk percentile is 79th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Otter Tail County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Otter Tail County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Otter Tail County's tornado risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Otter Tail County is at the 83th 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.
Why is Otter Tail County higher risk than average?
Otter Tail County's composite risk score of 79th percentile is above the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (84th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Crow Wing County

Minnesota

-1.8

Relatively Low

78th percentile

Itasca County

Minnesota

-2.7

Relatively Low

77th percentile

Scott County

Minnesota

-2.8

Relatively Low

77th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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 Otter Tail County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score