Blue Earth County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Blue Earth County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.2, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $33M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Blue Earth County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 72.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 72nd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 3.79 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $610K in expected annual loss and about 20.95 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 10.84 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $33M in expected annual loss for a population of 69K.
Beyond physical exposure, Blue Earth County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Blue Earth County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 13 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2024.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Blue Earth County ranks #15 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 3.79 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 20.95 / yr | $610K |
| Cold Wave | High | 10.84 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.77 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 12.56 / yr | $930K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.62 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.21 / yr | $948K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.11 / yr | $5K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.11 / yr | $12M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.32 / yr | $94K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 37.47 / yr | $82K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| 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
Blue Earth County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (13), Severe Storm (3), Tornado (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| November 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Blue Earth County?
Blue Earth County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Blue Earth County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $610K EAL), Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Blue Earth County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Blue Earth County ranks #15 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Blue Earth County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Blue Earth County since 1965, most often 13 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in June 2024.
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. Blue Earth County's $33M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.