Winona County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Winona County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.5, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $31M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Winona County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 69.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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.
Most of Winona County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $62K in expected annual loss and about 0.46 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.13 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 8.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $31M in expected annual loss for a population of 50K.
Beyond physical exposure, Winona County has a 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 federal record bears this out: Winona County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Winona County ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.46 / yr | $62K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.13 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 8.32 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.54 / yr | $20M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.34 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.74 / yr | $115K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.63 / yr | $567K |
| Drought | Low | 5.76 / yr | $149K |
| Lightning | Low | 36.91 / yr | $223K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.28 / yr | $515K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.47 / yr | $52K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| 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
Winona County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 1998 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding, High Winds,Severe Storms |
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 Winona County?
Winona County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 69.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Winona County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $62K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Winona County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Winona County ranks #17 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Winona County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Winona County since 1965, most often 6 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Winona County's $31M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.