Natural Disaster Risk in Lake of the Woods County

Natural Hazard Profile: Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota

Lake of the Woods County is located in the United States in Minnesota, home to roughly 3,752 residents. The county experiences some of the harshest winters in the lower 48 and warm summers, with severe blizzards and spring tornado outbreaks shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Lake of the Woods County carries an overall risk score of 3.2/10, placing it in the low category. Fire risk is the leading concern in the area, where seasonal drought and combustible vegetation combine to create a high-risk wildfire environment. The area also faces notable exposure to drought and tsunami.

Lake of the Woods County's risk score, considerably below the 5.2/10 state average and below the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Lake of the Woods County, the highest-scoring are wildfire, drought, and tsunami. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Lake of the Woods County carries a below-average natural disaster risk, reflecting fewer and less severe hazard exposures than typical U.S. communities. Even so, the area's primary risk — wildfire — warrants awareness and appropriate insurance coverage, as lower risk does not mean zero risk.