Red Lake County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Red Lake County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.2, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Red Lake County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 2.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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 Low risk — $499K in expected annual loss and about 13.95 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $70K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $91K in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Red Lake 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: Red Lake County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 14 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2022.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Red Lake County ranks #87 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Low | 13.95 / yr | $499K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $70K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.29 / yr | $91K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 19.95 / yr | $45K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 20.53 / yr | $524K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.18 / yr | $134K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $238 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $80K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.54 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.72 / yr | $87K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $11K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 27.27 / yr | $17K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $628 |
| 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
Red Lake County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Flood (14), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2006 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Red Lake County?
Red Lake County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Red Lake County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Low, $499K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $70K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $91K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Red Lake County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Red Lake County ranks #87 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Red Lake County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Red Lake County since 1966, most often 14 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in July 2022.
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. Red Lake County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.