Wabasha County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Wabasha County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.5, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wabasha County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 45.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $24K in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.87 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.80 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wabasha 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: Wabasha County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in June 2024.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Wabasha County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.29 / yr | $24K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.87 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.80 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.33 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.14 / yr | $11M |
| Drought | Low | 5.88 / yr | $161K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 8.79 / yr | $899K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.74 / yr | $44K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.63 / yr | $203K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.73 / yr | $47K |
| Lightning | Low | 36.98 / yr | $106K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Wabasha County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2023 | 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 |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| June 1998 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
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 Wabasha County?
Wabasha County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wabasha County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $24K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wabasha County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Wabasha County ranks #38 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wabasha County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Wabasha County since 1965, most often 9 for flood events and 4 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. Wabasha County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.