Kandiyohi County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Kandiyohi County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.4, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kandiyohi County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 51.4 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.
Most of Kandiyohi County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.03 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.52 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 12.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 44K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kandiyohi 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.
The federal record bears this out: Kandiyohi County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in August 2022.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Kandiyohi County ranks #28 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 3.03 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.52 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 12.32 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 19.53 / yr | $143K |
| Drought | Low | 8.61 / yr | $345K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $157K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $3K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.61 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $549K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $7M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Lightning | Low | 34.42 / yr | $212K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| 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
Kandiyohi County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in August 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| August 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, High Winds, 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 Kandiyohi County?
Kandiyohi County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.4 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 Kandiyohi County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kandiyohi County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Kandiyohi County ranks #28 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kandiyohi County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Kandiyohi County since 1965, most often 8 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in August 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. Kandiyohi County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.