Stevens County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Stevens County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.0, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather 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 Stevens County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 7.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 7th 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.
Most of Stevens County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $161K in expected annual loss and about 20.21 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $565K in expected annual loss and about 3.72 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 13.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stevens 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: Stevens County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 7 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2023.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Stevens County ranks #80 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 20.21 / yr | $161K |
| Hail | Low | 3.72 / yr | $565K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 13.63 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.66 / yr | $514K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.74 / yr | $238K |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.31 / yr | $41K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $614K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $35K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $249 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 33.22 / yr | $47K |
| 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
Stevens County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Stevens County?
Stevens County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 7th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stevens County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $161K EAL), Hail (Low, $565K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stevens County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Stevens County ranks #80 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stevens County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Stevens County since 1969, most often 7 for flood events and 7 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. Stevens County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.