Beltrami County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Beltrami County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.6, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Beltrami County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 60.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 61st national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 Medium risk — $247K in expected annual loss and about 17.11 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $497K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 17.09 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 46K.
Beyond physical exposure, Beltrami 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: Beltrami County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 10 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2022.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Beltrami County ranks #23 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.11 / yr | $247K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $497K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 17.09 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.45 / yr | $8K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.46 / yr | $14M |
| Hail | Low | 1.96 / yr | $364K |
| Drought | Low | 22.85 / yr | $239K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.01 / yr | $565K |
| Lightning | Low | 27.36 / yr | $181K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.82 / yr | $836K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.63 / yr | $215K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $8K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Beltrami County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Flood (10), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Beltrami County?
Beltrami County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Beltrami County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $247K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $497K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Beltrami County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Beltrami County ranks #23 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Beltrami County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Beltrami County since 1966, most often 10 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in July 2022.
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. Beltrami County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.