Brown County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Brown County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.4, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Brown County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 50.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 11.21 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $341K in expected annual loss and about 21.63 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Brown 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.
History supports the rating: Brown County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 11 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, Brown County ranks #31 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 11.21 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 21.63 / yr | $341K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.42 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 12.37 / yr | $584K |
| Hail | Low | 4.61 / yr | $651K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $2K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.52 / yr | $121K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.64 / yr | $8M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.26 / yr | $388K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 36.74 / yr | $30K |
| 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
Brown County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (11), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| 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 |
| 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 |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Brown County?
Brown County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Brown County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $341K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Brown County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Brown County ranks #31 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Brown County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Brown County since 1965, most often 11 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. Brown County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.