Freeborn County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Freeborn County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.0, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Freeborn County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 51.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 51st 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 15.12 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.78 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Freeborn County has a 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: Freeborn County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 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, Freeborn County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 15.12 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.78 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 20.74 / yr | $203K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.59 / yr | $846K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 10.16 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $7M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $1K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.26 / yr | $108K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.62 / yr | $25K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 39.49 / yr | $61K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| 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
Freeborn County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), 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 |
| November 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms 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 |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Freeborn County?
Freeborn County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Freeborn County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Freeborn County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Freeborn County ranks #30 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Freeborn County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Freeborn County since 1965, most often 8 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. Freeborn County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.