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

Traverse County Disaster Risk

Traverse County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#81

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

14th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Traverse County, Minnesota

Traverse County ranks among safest nationwide

Traverse County's composite risk score of 6.17 places it in the lowest risk category nationally, far below Minnesota's state average of 42.38. The county represents an exceptionally safe community for natural disaster exposure.

Minnesota's second-lowest risk county

Traverse County ranks second only to Stevens County (7.03) in Minnesota's safety rankings, with a 6.17 composite score. This position reflects minimal exposure to virtually all categories of natural hazards.

Nearly tied with Stevens for lowest risk

Traverse County (6.17) nearly matches Stevens County (7.03) as Minnesota's safest communities, with both counties far exceeding the safety profile of surrounding areas. Neither faces significant natural disaster threat compared to peer counties.

All hazards remain negligible

Traverse County's highest-risk hazard—wildfire at 15.87—remains well below concerning thresholds for natural disaster planning. Tornado (18.48), flood (13.74), and earthquake (4.96) risks are all negligible.

Standard insurance fully adequate here

Traverse County residents enjoy among the lowest insurance cost burdens in Minnesota due to minimal disaster risk. A standard homeowners policy provides complete protection without need for supplemental coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Traverse County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    18th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    16th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    14th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Traverse County

Risk Verdict

At the 6th percentile nationally, Traverse County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Traverse County's favorable 6th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Traverse County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 18th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 16th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (14th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Traverse County ranks at the 18th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Traverse County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Wildfire is the second hazard driver for Traverse County at the 16th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and wildfire-specific warning systems. Traverse County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

A composite score 36.2 points below the Minnesota state average puts Traverse County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Traverse 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 Traverse County, MN?
Traverse County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th 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 Traverse County?
Traverse County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (18th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile), flooding (14th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 18th 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 Traverse County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Traverse County's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Traverse County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Traverse County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Traverse County's tornado risk is at the 18th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Traverse County is at the 14th 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 Traverse County a safe place to live?
Traverse County's composite risk score of 6th 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 18th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Wilkin County

Minnesota

-0.8

Very Low

5th percentile

Stevens County

Minnesota

+0.9

Very Low

7th percentile

Mahnomen County

Minnesota

+1.0

Very Low

7th 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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