McLeod County
Minnesota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
McLeod County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.6, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.32 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 10.74 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.19 / yr | $962K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.41 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.11 / yr | $111K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.58 / yr | $540K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.50 / yr | $89K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $7M |
| Drought | Low | 5.46 / yr | $100K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $258 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 36.03 / yr | $90K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| 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 McLeod County?
McLeod County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McLeod County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Hail (Medium, $962K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McLeod County compare to other Minnesota counties?
McLeod County ranks #35 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. McLeod County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.