Otter Tail County
Minnesota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 79th
Otter Tail County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.4, 79th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $38M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 20.43 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | High | 15.13 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.47 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.31 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.32 / yr | $21M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.56 / yr | $19K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.76 / yr | $887K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $349K |
| Drought | Low | 2.27 / yr | $165K |
| Lightning | Low | 30.86 / yr | $208K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.27 / yr | $236K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.08 / yr | $48K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| 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 Otter Tail County?
Otter Tail County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 79th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Otter Tail County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Otter Tail County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Otter Tail County ranks #9 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. Otter Tail County's $38M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.