Wabasha County Disaster Risk
Wabasha County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
46th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#36
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
61th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Wabasha County, Minnesota
Wabasha County exceeds state average risk
Wabasha County's composite risk score of 45.55 surpasses Minnesota's state average of 42.38, placing it in the relatively low category. The county faces above-average exposure primarily to flooding and tornado activity.
Mid-range risk among Minnesota counties
Wabasha County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Minnesota's counties for natural disaster risk, with a 45.55 composite score. The county's flood and tornado risks notably exceed those of safer counties to the west.
Higher risk than western neighbors
Wabasha County (45.55) faces noticeably elevated risk compared to Steele (37.15) and Todd (37.72) counties to the west. Its position in southeastern Minnesota places it closer to established flood and severe weather corridors.
Flooding and tornadoes dominate threats
Wabasha County faces significant flood risk at 61.07 and tornado risk at 61.67, making these dual hazards the county's defining natural disaster profile. Wildfire (13.52) and earthquake (3.56) risks remain minimal by comparison.
Flood coverage essential here
Flood insurance is critical for Wabasha County residents given the 61.07 flood risk score—standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. A reinforced safe room or storm shelter addresses the significant tornado threat (61.67).
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Wabasha County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Wabasha County
Risk Verdict
Wabasha County's FEMA risk score places it at the 46th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At the 46th percentile, Wabasha County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Wabasha County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (14th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Tornado exposure at the 62th percentile nationally makes Wabasha County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. Alongside tornado exposure, flood at the 61th percentile nationally means Wabasha County households face multi-hazard severe-weather seasons that benefit from a single integrated emergency plan covering both threats. In Wabasha County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.
Regional Context
Wabasha County sits within 3.2 composite points of the Minnesota state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.
Is your household prepared for Wabasha County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Wabasha County, MN?
What types of natural hazards affect Wabasha County?
How does Wabasha County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Is Wabasha County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Wabasha 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.