St. Louis County Disaster Risk
St. Louis County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
92th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#3
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
92th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in St. Louis County, Minnesota
St. Louis County faces highest risk
St. Louis County's composite risk score of 91.57 ranks among the highest in the nation, earning a Relatively Moderate rating that reflects serious multi-hazard exposure. Residents face substantially greater disaster risk than the typical American.
Minnesota's riskiest county
At 91.57, St. Louis County's risk score dramatically exceeds Minnesota's state average of 42.38, making it the state's most hazard-prone county by a significant margin. This exceptional ranking reflects elevated exposure across floods, wildfires, and tornadoes.
Risk leader in northeastern Minnesota
St. Louis County (91.57) vastly exceeds all neighboring counties in disaster risk, including Lake and Cook counties to the north and east. Its combination of flooding, wildfire, and tornado threats is unmatched in the region.
Flooding and wildfire dominate
St. Louis County faces an exceptional flood risk of 91.76—the highest in Minnesota—compounded by wildfire danger at 81.74 and tornado risk at 64.73. This triple threat makes the county uniquely vulnerable to cascading natural disasters.
Comprehensive insurance is essential
St. Louis County residents must prioritize maximum coverage: NFIP flood insurance immediately, windstorm riders for tornadoes, and full wildfire provisions in homeowners policies. Given the county's exceptional risk, professional home risk assessment and mitigation planning are strongly recommended.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in St. Louis County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: St. Louis County
Risk Verdict
St. Louis County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 92th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in St. Louis County.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is St. Louis County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (65th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile).
Preparedness Context
St. Louis County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Secondary wildfire exposure at the 82th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. St. Louis County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.
Regional Context
St. Louis County falls 49.2 points above Minnesota's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for St. Louis County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in St. Louis County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect St. Louis County?
How does St. Louis County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is St. Louis County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is St. Louis 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.