Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Yellow Medicine County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.0, 30th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Yellow Medicine County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 30.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 30th 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.
Risk here concentrates in heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.21 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $170K in expected annual loss and about 21.00 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $367K in expected annual loss and about 8.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Yellow Medicine 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.
History supports the rating: Yellow Medicine County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 11 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in August 2022.
Among 87 Minnesota counties, Yellow Medicine County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.21 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 21.00 / yr | $170K |
| Drought | Low | 8.74 / yr | $367K |
| Hail | Low | 3.93 / yr | $411K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 12.00 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.86 / yr | $611K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.63 / yr | $91K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $560 |
| Tornado | Low | 0.49 / yr | $673K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 35.30 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Yellow Medicine County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in August 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (9), 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 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| May 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Yellow Medicine County?
Yellow Medicine County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Yellow Medicine County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $170K EAL), Drought (Low, $367K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Yellow Medicine County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Yellow Medicine County ranks #54 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Yellow Medicine County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Yellow Medicine County since 1965, most often 11 for severe storm events and 9 for flood 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. Yellow Medicine County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.