Faribault County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Faribault County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.5, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Faribault County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 45.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 13.43 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $198K in expected annual loss and about 21.37 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $646K in expected annual loss and about 4.50 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Faribault County has a medium 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: Faribault County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2024.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Faribault County ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 13.43 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 21.37 / yr | $198K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.50 / yr | $646K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.70 / yr | $955K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 10.58 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.59 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.79 / yr | $167K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.43 / yr | $35K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $290 |
| Lightning | Low | 39.31 / yr | $85K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Faribault County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (7), 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 |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Faribault County?
Faribault County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Faribault County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $198K EAL), Hail (Medium, $646K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Faribault County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Faribault County ranks #36 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Faribault County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Faribault County since 1965, most often 9 for flood events and 7 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. Faribault County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.