Norman County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 14th
Norman County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.4, 14th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Norman County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 14.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 14th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $713K in expected annual loss and about 6.39 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $518K in expected annual loss and about 4.02 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $109K in expected annual loss and about 23.69 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Norman County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Norman County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 18 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2023.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Norman County ranks #73 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 6.39 / yr | $713K |
| Hail | Low | 4.02 / yr | $518K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 23.69 / yr | $109K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 19.69 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.23 / yr | $101K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.38 / yr | $358K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $230 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $292K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.26 / yr | $25K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 28.82 / yr | $16K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Norman County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (18), Severe Storm (10), 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 |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Norman County?
Norman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 14th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Norman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $713K EAL), Hail (Low, $518K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $109K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Norman County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Norman County ranks #73 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Norman County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Norman County since 1965, most often 18 for flood events and 10 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. Norman County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.