Lake County
Minnesota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Lake County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.9, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 0.46 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 24.50 / yr | $242K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 17.83 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Medium | 25.12 / yr | $502K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $98K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $449 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $22K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $72K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $72K |
| Drought | Very Low | 16.91 / yr | $3K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $74K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Earthquake | 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 Lake County?
Lake County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lake County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $242K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lake County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Lake County ranks #52 of 87 Minnesota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Lake County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.