Pipestone County
Minnesota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 15th
Pipestone County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.7, 15th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 20.74 / yr | $216K |
| Hail | Low | 5.30 / yr | $765K |
| Drought | Medium | 11.07 / yr | $580K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.95 / yr | $129K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 11.68 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.37 / yr | $317K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.36 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.73 / yr | $435K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.96 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $85 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 37.24 / yr | $13K |
| 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 Pipestone County?
Pipestone County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 15th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pipestone County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $216K EAL), Hail (Low, $765K EAL), Drought (Medium, $580K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pipestone County compare to other Minnesota counties?
Pipestone County ranks #72 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. Pipestone County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.