Yellow Medicine County Disaster Risk
Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
30th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#54
of 87 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
29th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota
Yellow Medicine's risk stays low
Yellow Medicine County scores 29.96 with a Very Low rating, roughly 40% below the national average for disaster exposure. The southwestern county enjoys a favorable natural hazard profile compared to most U.S. communities.
Lower-risk Minnesota county
At 29.96, Yellow Medicine ranks comfortably below Minnesota's 42.38 state average, sitting in the lower-risk half statewide. The county's rural, southwestern position shields it from the highest hazard concentrations.
Safer than most regional peers
Yellow Medicine (29.96) beats nearby Wilkin (5.34)—though Wilkin is exceptionally low—and substantially outperforms Washington County (83.87) and Wright County (68.42) to the northeast. The southwestern region benefits from moderate hazard exposure overall.
Tornado risk leads modest exposures
Tornado risk (33.49) represents Yellow Medicine's primary hazard, though it remains well below state norms. Flood risk (29.29) and wildfire risk (25.51) both stay moderate, with negligible earthquake exposure at 9.03.
Standard coverage meets needs
Yellow Medicine residents should maintain solid tornado and severe storm protections within their standard homeowners policy. The county's moderate risk profile doesn't require specialized coverage, but annual policy reviews ensure adequate limits for property improvements.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Yellow Medicine County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Yellow Medicine County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Yellow Medicine County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 30th percentile. Even at the 30th percentile, Yellow Medicine County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Yellow Medicine County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 33th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 29th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (26th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 33th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Yellow Medicine County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Yellow Medicine County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. Flood is the second hazard driver for Yellow Medicine County at the 29th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Yellow Medicine County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
Yellow Medicine County is 12.4 composite risk points below the Minnesota state mean, meaning most other Minnesota counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Yellow Medicine County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Yellow Medicine County, MN?
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How does Yellow Medicine County risk compare to the Minnesota average?
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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.