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

Waseca County Disaster Risk

Waseca County, Minnesota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

25th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#61

of 87 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

24th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Waseca County, Minnesota

Waseca's risk stays well below average

Waseca County scores 24.68 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating—less than half the national average. This places the county among the safer communities for natural disaster exposure across the United States.

Safest third of Minnesota counties

At 24.68, Waseca ranks significantly below Minnesota's 42.38 state average for composite risk. The county sits comfortably in the lower tier of disaster exposure statewide.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Waseca's 24.68 composite score beats neighboring Watonwan County (23.89) and substantially outperforms nearby Washington County (83.87). The county benefits from relatively moderate hazard profiles across most threat types.

Tornado threat tops Waseca's risks

Tornado risk scores highest at 47.11, though still below state norms, while flood risk (24.40) and wildfire risk (15.17) remain minimal. Earthquake exposure is negligible at 9.61.

Prepare for severe weather first

Homeowners should prioritize tornado and severe storm coverage, particularly given spring weather patterns. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind and hail damage; confirm your policy includes these protections.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Waseca County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    47th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    24th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    15th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Waseca County

Risk Verdict

Waseca County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 25th percentile nationally. Waseca County residents can take confidence from a 25th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Waseca County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 47th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 24th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (15th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 47th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Waseca County households benefit most from a reliable alert system — a NOAA weather radio that activates during overnight hours when residents may not be checking smartphone alerts. Flood is the second hazard driver for Waseca County at the 24th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. For Waseca County households, a pre-decided family shelter plan — who goes where, how children are retrieved from school during a warning, and a neighborhood meet-up point if phones fail — provides real protection that no supply kit alone can replicate.

Regional Context

Waseca County falls 17.7 points below Minnesota's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Waseca 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 Waseca County, MN?
Waseca 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 Waseca County?
Waseca County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (47th percentile), flooding (24th percentile), wildfire (15th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 47th 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 Waseca County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
Waseca 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 Waseca County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Minnesota.
Is Waseca County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Waseca County's tornado risk is at the 47th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Waseca County is at the 24th 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 Waseca County a safe place to live?
Waseca 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 tornado at the 47th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Swift County

Minnesota

+0.4

Very Low

25th percentile

Watonwan County

Minnesota

-0.8

Very Low

24th percentile

Marshall County

Minnesota

-1.1

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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