Meeker County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 27th
Meeker County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 27.0, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Meeker County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 27.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 27th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $800K in expected annual loss and about 5.86 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.92 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $131K in expected annual loss and about 18.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Meeker 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Meeker County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 4 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Meeker County ranks #58 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Low | 5.86 / yr | $800K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.92 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.05 / yr | $131K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 11.58 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.48 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $1K |
| Drought | Low | 9.18 / yr | $124K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $364K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.36 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.45 / yr | $51K |
| Lightning | Low | 35.17 / yr | $142K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Meeker County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| June 1993 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
| April 1969 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Meeker County?
Meeker County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 27.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Meeker County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Low, $800K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $131K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Meeker County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Meeker County ranks #58 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Meeker County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Meeker County since 1965, most often 4 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Meeker County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.