Dodge County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Dodge County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.2, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Dodge County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 14.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 14th 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $526K in expected annual loss and about 7.74 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $622K in expected annual loss and about 4.97 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $766K in expected annual loss and about 3.88 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dodge 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: Dodge County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Dodge County ranks #74 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Low | 7.74 / yr | $526K |
| Hail | Low | 4.97 / yr | $622K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.88 / yr | $766K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 10.05 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $767 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 19.84 / yr | $50K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.53 / yr | $157K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 37.84 / yr | $112K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.60 / yr | $22K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Dodge County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| October 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2001 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| June 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 Dodge County?
Dodge County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 14th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dodge County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Low, $526K EAL), Hail (Low, $622K EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $766K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dodge County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Dodge County ranks #74 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dodge County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Dodge County since 1965, most often 6 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Dodge County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.