Natural Disaster Risk in Squaw Lake
Minnesota
Risk Summary for Squaw Lake
Squaw Lake scores 5.7/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Cold Wave.
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: Squaw Lake, Minnesota
Squaw Lake, in Itasca 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 Squaw Lake residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Squaw Lake carries an overall risk score of 5.7/10, placing it in the moderate category. Arctic air outbreaks are the leading natural hazard, with temperature plunges to dangerous lows capable of causing hypothermia and widespread infrastructure failures. The area also faces notable exposure to wind and landslide.
Within Minnesota, Squaw Lake's risk is, slightly above the 5.2/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Itasca County identifies cold wave as the foremost hazard, followed by wind and landslide. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Squaw Lake'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 cold wave exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.
What this means for Squaw Lake: Cold Wave preparedness
- Dress in layers and limit exposure during extreme cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
- Protect pipes, pets, and plants, and ensure heating systems are serviced before winter.
- Keep emergency heat and supplies ready in case of cold-related power outages.
Local Factors for Squaw Lake
These city-level factors differentiate Squaw Lake from other communities in Itasca County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
267
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Northern Continental
Latitude 47.5°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 5.2/10
Coordinates
47.5488° N, 94.2513° W
Itasca 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 Squaw Lake
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Squaw Lake
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.