Sibley County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Sibley County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.0, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Sibley County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 23.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.19 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $903K in expected annual loss and about 5.78 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $505K in expected annual loss and about 7.45 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sibley 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.
History supports the rating: Sibley County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 11 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, Sibley County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.19 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 5.78 / yr | $903K |
| Drought | Low | 7.45 / yr | $505K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 10.89 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.49 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 19.37 / yr | $83K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.11 / yr | $315K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.48 / yr | $69K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 36.59 / yr | $37K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Sibley County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (11), 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 |
| September 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, 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 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sibley County?
Sibley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sibley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Low, $903K EAL), Drought (Low, $505K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sibley County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Sibley County ranks #64 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sibley County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Sibley County since 1965, most often 11 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. Sibley County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.