Itasca County

Minnesota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

76.7

National percentile: 77th

Itasca County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.7, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $31M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $31M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very High Capacity to recover
Population 45K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Cold Wave
High $13M/yr
Strong Wind
High $2M/yr
Landslide
Low $13K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Cold Wave High 17.37 / yr $13M
Strong Wind High 1.00 / yr $2M
Landslide Low 0.72 / yr $13K
Heat Wave Medium 0.83 / yr $1M
Lightning Medium 28.40 / yr $552K
Riverine Flood Medium 0.39 / yr $14M
Winter Weather Low 18.35 / yr $79K
Hail Low 1.46 / yr $266K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $29K
Drought Low 12.42 / yr $55K
Tornado Low 0.37 / yr $384K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.06 / yr $14K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $2K
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 Itasca County?

Itasca County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Itasca County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $13M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $13K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Itasca County compare to other Minnesota counties?

Itasca County ranks #11 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. Itasca County's $31M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.