Wilkin County Disaster Risk
Wilkin County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
5th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#82
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
13th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 13% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 19% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Wilkin County, Minnesota
Wilkin County is Minnesota's safest
Wilkin County scores just 5.34 with a Very Low rating—roughly 25 times lower than the national average. This remote northwest county represents one of the safest natural disaster exposure profiles in the United States.
Lowest risk score in Minnesota
Wilkin's 5.34 composite score is 88% below Minnesota's 42.38 state average, ranking it the safest county statewide by a substantial margin. Rural location and distance from major population centers drive this exceptional profile.
Wilkin stands apart in the region
Wilkin (5.34) is dramatically safer than neighboring Yellow Medicine County (29.96) and distant Washington County (83.87). The county's remote northwest position shields it from many regional hazard concentrations.
Wildfire edges out other minor risks
Wildfire risk (19.94) represents Wilkin's highest exposure, though still modest, while tornado risk (19.18) and flood risk (12.56) remain minimal. Earthquake exposure is negligible at just 3.05.
Basic insurance coverage is sufficient
Wilkin County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance without specialized riders or premium coverage. Annual policy reviews remain prudent, but the county's exceptionally low risk profile means residents face minimal natural disaster exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Wilkin County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Wilkin County
Risk Verdict
Wilkin County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 5th percentile nationally. Being ranked at the 5th percentile nationally is an advantage for Wilkin County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Wilkin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 20th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 19th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (13th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire is Wilkin County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 20th percentile nationally. Wilkin 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 19th percentile nationally means Wilkin County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Wilkin 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
The Minnesota county average exceeds Wilkin County's score by 37.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Wilkin County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.