Swift County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Swift County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.1, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Swift County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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 Swift County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $116K 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 — $460K in expected annual loss and about 3.84 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 13.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Swift County has a medium 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: Swift County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in July 2023.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Swift County ranks #60 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 20.21 / yr | $116K |
| Hail | Low | 3.84 / yr | $460K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 13.21 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.47 / yr | $589K |
| Drought | Low | 8.47 / yr | $215K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.61 / yr | $426K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.47 / yr | $53K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.50 / yr | $435K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $214 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 34.09 / yr | $41K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Swift County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Severe Storm (6), 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 |
| March 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 Swift County?
Swift County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Swift County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $116K EAL), Hail (Low, $460K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Swift County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Swift County ranks #60 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Swift County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Swift County since 1965, most often 8 for flood events and 6 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. Swift County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.