Anoka County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Anoka County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.0, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $127M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Anoka County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 88.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 88th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Anoka County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 4.34 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 6.17 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $85M in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $127M in expected annual loss for a population of 364K.
Beyond physical exposure, Anoka County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Anoka County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Anoka County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 4.34 / yr | $13M |
| Hail | High | 6.17 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $85M |
| Lightning | High | 33.95 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $11M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.95 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.74 / yr | $463K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $851K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $588K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 9.21 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.15 / yr | $39K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $66K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Anoka County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| October 2000 | Fire | Mn - Carlos Edge Fire Complex - 10/19/2000 |
| June 1998 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| August 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, High Winds, Flooding |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding, High Winds,Severe Storms |
| August 1987 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Anoka County?
Anoka County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Anoka County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $13M EAL), Hail (High, $6M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $85M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Anoka County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Anoka County ranks #5 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Anoka County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Anoka County since 1965, most often 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Anoka County's $127M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.