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

Swift County Disaster Risk

Swift County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

25th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#60

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

36th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Swift County, Minnesota

Swift County sits well below state average

Swift County's composite risk score of 25.06 falls substantially below Minnesota's average of 42.38, placing it solidly in the very low risk category. The county enjoys natural disaster exposure far below national norms.

Among Minnesota's lowest-risk counties

Swift County ranks in the lower quartile of Minnesota's counties for natural disaster risk, with a 25.06 composite score. Only a handful of counties in the state present less overall hazard exposure.

Safest county in its immediate area

Swift County's 25.06 risk score is lower than Stevens County (7.03) and Traverse County (6.17), making it one of the safest in this region. It substantially outperforms Stearns County (87.56) to the east.

Wildfire represents the primary hazard

Wildfire risk at 46.31 is Swift County's most significant natural disaster exposure, though still well below concerning levels. Flood (36.39) and tornado (28.56) risks trail significantly, creating a balanced but manageable hazard profile.

Basic homeowners coverage is typically sufficient

Swift County residents benefit from minimal specialized insurance needs due to the county's low composite risk score. A standard homeowners policy provides adequate protection for this low-hazard community.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Swift County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    46th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    36th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    29th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Swift County

Risk Verdict

Swift County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 25th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. The 25th percentile national ranking is one lens; Swift County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Swift County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 46th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (29th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Swift County's primary hazard at the 46th percentile nationally. For Swift County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's flood exposure at the 36th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Swift County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Minnesota county average, Swift County's composite score runs 17.3 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Swift 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 Swift County, MN?
Swift County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 25th 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 Swift County?
Swift County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (46th percentile), flooding (36th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 46th 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 Swift County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Swift County's composite risk percentile is 25th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Swift County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Swift County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Swift County's wildfire risk is at the 46th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Swift County is at the 36th 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 Swift County a safe place to live?
Swift County's composite risk score of 25th 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 wildfire at the 46th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Waseca County

Minnesota

-0.4

Very Low

25th percentile

Watonwan County

Minnesota

-1.2

Very Low

24th percentile

Marshall County

Minnesota

-1.5

Very Low

24th 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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