McLeod County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
McLeod County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.6, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates McLeod County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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 McLeod County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.32 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 10.74 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $962K in expected annual loss and about 6.19 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, McLeod 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: McLeod County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for flood events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2024.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, McLeod County ranks #35 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.32 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 10.74 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.19 / yr | $962K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.41 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.11 / yr | $111K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.58 / yr | $540K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.50 / yr | $89K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $7M |
| Drought | Low | 5.46 / yr | $100K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $258 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 36.03 / yr | $90K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| 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
McLeod County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (5), 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 |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| May 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for McLeod County?
McLeod County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McLeod County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Hail (Medium, $962K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McLeod County compare to other Minnesota counties?
McLeod County ranks #35 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has McLeod County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for McLeod County since 1965, most often 9 for flood events and 5 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. McLeod County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.