Rice County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Rice County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.4, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Rice County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 75.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 75th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 4.73 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 6.27 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.44 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $37M in expected annual loss for a population of 67K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rice 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: Rice County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 5 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2024.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Rice County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 4.73 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | High | 6.27 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.44 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 9.63 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $18M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 19.47 / yr | $164K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.13 / yr | $6K |
| Drought | Low | 5.57 / yr | $189K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.46 / yr | $100K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.89 / yr | $421K |
| Lightning | Low | 37.61 / yr | $190K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| 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
Rice County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| June 1998 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rice County?
Rice County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rice County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Hail (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rice County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Rice County ranks #13 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rice County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Rice County since 1965, most often 5 for flood events and 3 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. Rice County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.