Kittson County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Kittson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.8, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Kittson County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 4.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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.
Most of Kittson County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $455K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $371K in expected annual loss and about 8.65 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $102K in expected annual loss and about 21.90 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kittson 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.
The federal record bears this out: Kittson County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 18 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2023.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Kittson County ranks #83 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $455K |
| Drought | Low | 8.65 / yr | $371K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 21.90 / yr | $102K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.39 / yr | $100K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 22.37 / yr | $916K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.20 / yr | $191K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $247 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.61 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $209K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.20 / yr | $93K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 26.14 / yr | $38K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Kittson County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (18), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2022 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kittson County?
Kittson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kittson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $455K EAL), Drought (Low, $371K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $102K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kittson County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Kittson County ranks #83 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kittson County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Kittson County since 1965, most often 18 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in July 2023.
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. Kittson County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.