Becker County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Becker County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.4, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Becker County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 37.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $391K in expected annual loss and about 19.82 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $14K in expected annual loss and about 0.45 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $313K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 35K.
Beyond physical exposure, Becker County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Becker County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 8 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Becker County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 19.82 / yr | $391K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.45 / yr | $14K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $313K |
| Hail | Low | 3.71 / yr | $428K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.78 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 16.58 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.26 / yr | $545K |
| Drought | Low | 6.57 / yr | $130K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.87 / yr | $107K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 29.23 / yr | $71K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $8K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Becker County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2006 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| May 2001 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| June 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding, High Winds,Severe Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Becker County?
Becker County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Becker County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $391K EAL), Landslide (Low, $14K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $313K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Becker County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Becker County ranks #47 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Becker County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Becker County since 1966, most often 8 for flood events and 7 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. Becker County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.