Natural Disaster Risk in Mabel

Natural Hazard Profile: Mabel, Minnesota

Mabel is a small community of about 1,332 in Fillmore County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences some of the harshest winters in the lower 48 and warm summers, with severe blizzards and spring tornado outbreaks shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Mabel.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Mabel carries an overall risk score of 4.8/10, placing it in the moderate category. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. The area also faces notable exposure to cold wave and tornado.

Mabel's risk score, slightly below the 5.2/10 state average and near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Fillmore County, the highest-scoring are landslide, cold wave, and tornado. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Mabel's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that landslide exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.