Douglas County
Minnesota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Douglas County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.3, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 18.59 / yr | $533K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 13.90 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.57 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.16 / yr | $5K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $56K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.32 / yr | $7M |
| Hail | Low | 3.85 / yr | $277K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.20 / yr | $72K |
| Lightning | Low | 31.76 / yr | $203K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.05 / yr | $242K |
| Drought | Low | 2.76 / yr | $42K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $16K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Douglas County?
Douglas County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Douglas County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $533K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Douglas County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Douglas County ranks #41 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Douglas County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.