Todd County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Todd County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.7, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Todd County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 37.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 38th 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 Todd County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $178K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $696K in expected annual loss and about 2.52 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Todd 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: Todd County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in August 2022.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Todd County ranks #46 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $178K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.52 / yr | $696K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 3.97 / yr | $328K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Low | 31.33 / yr | $259K |
| Drought | Low | 6.15 / yr | $143K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 13.53 / yr | $787K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.55 / yr | $782K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.79 / yr | $178K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.29 / yr | $40K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.11 / yr | $31K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Todd County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in August 2022. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding, High Winds,Severe Storms |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| June 1976 | Drought | Drought |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Todd County?
Todd County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Todd County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $178K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $696K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Todd County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Todd County ranks #46 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Todd County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Todd County since 1965, most often 6 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in August 2022.
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. Todd County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.