Benton County
Minnesota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Benton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.3, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 5.47 / yr | $918K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.57 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.22 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $156K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 12.42 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.39 / yr | $10M |
| Drought | Low | 5.76 / yr | $263K |
| Lightning | Low | 32.70 / yr | $250K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.37 / yr | $330K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.89 / yr | $58K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.39 / yr | $64K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $238 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Benton County?
Benton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $918K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benton County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Benton County ranks #29 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Benton County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.