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

Sherburne County Disaster Risk

Sherburne County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

54th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

62th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% 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 Sherburne County, Minnesota

Sherburne faces above-average risk

Sherburne County's composite risk score of 53.56 exceeds the national average, carrying a Relatively Low rating that reflects moderate but real hazard exposure. The county experiences elevated tornado and wildfire threats compared to most American counties.

Above Minnesota's state average

At 53.56, Sherburne County's risk score surpasses Minnesota's state average of 42.38, placing it among the state's more exposed counties. The Relatively Low rating indicates manageable but significant disaster risk.

Moderate risk among central counties

Sherburne County (53.56) faces higher risk than Renville County (38.45) and Sibley County (22.96) to the south, but lower than Rice County (75.45) and Scott County (76.56) to the east. It represents a middle ground in central Minnesota's risk landscape.

Tornadoes, wildfires, and flooding

Sherburne County confronts a three-part hazard profile: tornado risk at 70.39, wildfire risk at 76.43, and flood risk at 62.47. All three significantly exceed the state average, making severe weather and fire season particularly dangerous.

Cover all three major threats

Sherburne County residents need comprehensive protection: windstorm riders for tornado damage, NFIP flood insurance, and wildfire provisions in homeowners policies. Review your coverage before spring and fall severe weather seasons, and ensure all gaps are closed.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sherburne County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    70th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    62th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sherburne County

Risk Verdict

Sherburne County ranks at the 54th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Sherburne County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 70th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (62th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Sherburne County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Sherburne County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 70th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Sherburne County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

Compared to other Minnesota counties, Sherburne County runs 11.2 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Sherburne 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 Sherburne County, MN?
Sherburne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 54th 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 Sherburne County?
Sherburne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (76th percentile), tornado (70th percentile), flooding (62th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 76th 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 Sherburne County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Sherburne County's composite risk percentile is 54th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Sherburne County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Sherburne County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Sherburne County's wildfire risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Sherburne County is at the 62th 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 Sherburne County higher risk than average?
Sherburne County's composite risk score of 54th percentile is above the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (76th percentile), along with tornado and flooding 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

Cass County

Minnesota

-0.0

Relatively Low

54th percentile

Kandiyohi County

Minnesota

-2.2

Relatively Low

51th percentile

Benton County

Minnesota

-2.2

Relatively Low

51th 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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