riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Pipestone County Disaster Risk

Pipestone County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#72

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

19th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Pipestone County

Risk Verdict

Pipestone County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 15th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Pipestone County, scoring in the 39th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 19th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (19th), earthquake (11th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Pipestone 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 wildfire 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

Pipestone County is notably safer than the average county in Minnesota. Its composite risk score is 27.7 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Pipestone County, MN?
Pipestone County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Pipestone County?
Pipestone County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (39th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile), flooding (19th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 39th 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 Pipestone County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Pipestone County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Pipestone County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Pipestone County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Pipestone County's tornado risk is at the 39th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Pipestone County is at the 19th 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 Pipestone County a safe place to live?
Pipestone County's composite risk score of 15th 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 tornado at the 39th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Norman County

Minnesota

-0.3

Very Low

14th percentile

Dodge County

Minnesota

-0.5

Very Low

14th percentile

Wadena County

Minnesota

-1.8

Very Low

13th 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.

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