Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Lac qui Parle County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.8, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lac qui Parle County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 18.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 19th 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 Lac qui Parle County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 12.26 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $101K in expected annual loss and about 20.42 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $422K in expected annual loss and about 3.94 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lac qui Parle 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: Lac qui Parle County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 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, Lac qui Parle County ranks #70 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Low | 12.26 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 20.42 / yr | $101K |
| Hail | Low | 3.94 / yr | $422K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.05 / yr | $578K |
| Drought | Low | 7.29 / yr | $270K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.64 / yr | $98K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.88 / yr | $358K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.51 / yr | $515K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $256 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 34.50 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Lac qui Parle County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (10), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 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 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Flood | 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 Lac qui Parle County?
Lac qui Parle County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lac qui Parle County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Low, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $101K EAL), Hail (Low, $422K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lac qui Parle County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Lac qui Parle County ranks #70 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lac qui Parle County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Lac qui Parle County since 1965, most often 10 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. Lac qui Parle County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.