Natural Disaster Risk in Knife River
Minnesota
Risk Summary for Knife River
Knife River scores 5.1/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Strong Wind.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Knife River, Minnesota
Knife River, in Lake County, is a small unincorporated community situated in the northern tier of the continental United States. Its continental climate brings some of the harshest winters in the lower 48 and warm summers, and in particular severe blizzards and spring tornado outbreaks. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Knife River residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Knife River carries an overall risk score of 5.1/10, placing it in the moderate category. High-wind events from severe thunderstorms and derechos are the leading hazard, with damaging gusts capable of downing trees and causing widespread structural damage. The area also faces notable exposure to coastal flood and cold wave.
Within Minnesota, Knife River's risk is, near the 5.2/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Lake County identifies wind as the foremost hazard, followed by coastal flood and cold wave. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a moderate risk rating, Knife River residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for wind is recommended.
What this means for Knife River: Strong Wind preparedness
- Confirm your policy covers wind damage and keep an inventory of property for claims.
- Inspect and reinforce roofing, siding, and garage doors, which are common failure points in high winds.
- Secure or store outdoor furniture and loose objects that can become projectiles.
Local Factors for Knife River
These city-level factors differentiate Knife River from other communities in Lake County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
131
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 47.0°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 6.7/10
Coordinates
46.9636° N, 91.7855° W
Lake County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Knife River
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Knife River
Other cities in Minnesota
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.