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

Todd County Disaster Risk

Todd County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

38th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#46

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

56th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% 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 Todd County, Minnesota

Todd County maintains very low risk profile

Todd County's composite risk score of 37.72 falls just below Minnesota's state average of 42.38, earning a very low risk rating. The county offers substantially safer conditions than most U.S. communities.

Lower-risk county in Minnesota

Todd County ranks in the safer half of Minnesota's 87 counties for natural disaster exposure, with a 37.72 composite score. This positioning reflects balanced hazard exposure with no single dominating threat.

Comparable to Steele County's risk level

Todd County (37.72) nearly mirrors Steele County (37.15) in composite risk, making them peer communities for disaster preparedness. Both outperform Stearns County (87.56) dramatically to the southeast.

Wildfire and flood present dual concerns

Todd County faces dual primary threats: wildfire risk (71.60) and flood risk (56.23), with tornado risk (39.95) as a secondary hazard. Wildfire exposure is particularly notable during Minnesota's dry seasons.

Wildfire awareness plus standard coverage

Todd County residents should maintain defensible space around homes and verify wildfire coverage in their standard homeowners policy. Flood insurance remains optional given the moderate 56.23 flood risk, but property-by-property assessment is recommended.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Todd County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    72th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    40th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Todd County

Risk Verdict

Todd County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 38th percentile nationally. Even at the 38th percentile, Todd County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Todd County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (40th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Todd County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 72th percentile nationally. Todd County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 56th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Todd County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

At just 4.7 composite points from the Minnesota average, Todd County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Todd 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 Todd County, MN?
Todd County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 38th 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 Todd County?
Todd County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (72th percentile), flooding (56th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 72th 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 Todd County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Todd County's composite risk percentile is 38th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Todd County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Todd County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Todd County's wildfire risk is at the 72th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Todd County is at the 56th 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 Todd County a safe place to live?
Todd County's composite risk score of 38th 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 72th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Becker County

Minnesota

-0.3

Very Low

37th percentile

Steele County

Minnesota

-0.6

Very Low

37th percentile

Chippewa County

Minnesota

-0.7

Very Low

37th 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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