Natural Disaster Risk in Makinen

Natural Hazard Profile: Makinen, Minnesota

Makinen, in St. Louis 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 Makinen residents and property owners must navigate.

Makinen's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.8/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Cold wave events are the primary hazard risk, driven by periodic invasions of Arctic air that drive wind chills to life-threatening levels and stress heating systems. Secondary hazards include lightning and winter.

Within Minnesota, Makinen's risk is, considerably above the 5.2/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of St. Louis County identifies cold wave as the foremost hazard, followed by lightning and winter. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Makinen residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for cold wave and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.