riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

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 Advisory: Wabasha County

Risk Verdict

Wabasha County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 46th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Wabasha County, scoring in the 62th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 61th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (14th), earthquake (4th), hurricane (0th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Wabasha County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Wabasha County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Minnesota. Its composite risk score is within 3.2 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Minnesota as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Wabasha County, MN?
Wabasha County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 46th 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 Wabasha County?
Wabasha County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (62th percentile), flooding (61th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 62th 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 Wabasha County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Wabasha County's composite risk percentile is 46th, compared to the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wabasha County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Wabasha County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Wabasha County's tornado risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wabasha County is at the 61th 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.
Why is Wabasha County higher risk than average?
Wabasha County's composite risk score of 46th percentile is above the Minnesota state average of 42th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (62th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Faribault County

Minnesota

-0.0

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Martin County

Minnesota

-0.1

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Nicollet County

Minnesota

-0.2

Relatively Low

45th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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