Clearwater County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 4th
Clearwater County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.2, 4th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Clearwater County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 4.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 4th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $132K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $303K in expected annual loss and about 19.56 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clearwater County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Clearwater County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 6 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2022.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Clearwater County ranks #84 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $132K |
| Drought | Low | 19.56 / yr | $303K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.50 / yr | $69K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 17.58 / yr | $553K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.88 / yr | $92K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.41 / yr | $197K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $137K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $26K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 27.47 / yr | $29K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Clearwater County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (6), 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 |
| 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 |
| June 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding, High Winds,Severe Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clearwater County?
Clearwater County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 4th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clearwater County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $132K EAL), Drought (Low, $303K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clearwater County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Clearwater County ranks #84 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clearwater County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Clearwater County since 1974, most often 6 for flood events and 6 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. Clearwater County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.