Steele County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Steele County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.2, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Steele County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 37.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.09 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.13 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.37 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Steele 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: Steele County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 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, Steele County ranks #48 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.09 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.13 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.37 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Medium | 13.65 / yr | $696K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 10.16 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 20.47 / yr | $96K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $10M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $636 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.21 / yr | $188K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 37.98 / yr | $128K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $25K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| 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
Steele County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), 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 |
| November 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Steele County?
Steele County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Steele County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Steele County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Steele County ranks #48 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Steele County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Steele County since 1965, most often 6 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. Steele County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.