Cass County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 54th
Cass County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.5, 54th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Cass County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 53.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 54th 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.
Most of Cass County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 15.67 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $13K in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $150K in expected annual loss and about 17.10 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cass County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Cass County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 5 for flood events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2024.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Cass County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 15.67 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.52 / yr | $13K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.10 / yr | $150K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.14 / yr | $8M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $83K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.61 / yr | $603K |
| Lightning | Low | 29.36 / yr | $213K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.19 / yr | $313K |
| Drought | Low | 13.34 / yr | $88K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.59 / yr | $762K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.48 / yr | $108K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $16K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Cass County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Severe Storm (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, 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 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| July 1999 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Winds, and Flooding |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding, High Winds,Severe Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cass County?
Cass County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 54th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cass County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Landslide (Low, $13K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $150K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cass County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Cass County ranks #27 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cass County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Cass County since 1965, most often 5 for flood events and 5 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. Cass County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.