Aitkin County
Minnesota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Aitkin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 56.6, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 14.31 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $10M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.36 / yr | $5K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $59K |
| Lightning | Low | 29.82 / yr | $193K |
| Hail | Low | 2.32 / yr | $175K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $217K |
| Drought | Low | 13.31 / yr | $72K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.61 / yr | $275K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.36 / yr | $32K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $271K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 17.89 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Aitkin County?
Aitkin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 56.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Aitkin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $10M EAL), Landslide (Low, $5K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Aitkin County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Aitkin County ranks #25 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Aitkin County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.