🌍 ClimateRiskCheck

Natural Disaster Risk β€” ZIP Code 56304

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

5.8out of 10
Moderate Risk

Risk Summary for ZIP 56304

ZIP 56304 scores 5.8/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Strong Wind.

Top Hazards

Strong Wind Hail Wildfire

All 18 Hazard Scores

Strong Wind
8.9
Hail
8.1
Wildfire
7.9
Tornado
7.4
Drought
6.6
Lightning
6.6
Extreme Heat
6.4
Cold Wave
6.0
Winter Weather
5.8
Ice Storm
5.6
Tsunami
5.4
Volcanic Activity
5.1
Coastal Flooding
4.9
Landslide
4.8
Avalanche
4.5
Hurricane
2.4
Earthquake
1.8
Riverine Flooding
1.0

How it compares

ZIP 56304
5.8
Minnesota avg.
5.2
US national avg.
4.5

Live Conditions

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🏠 What this means for insurance

Average risk β€” 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: ZIP 56304, Minnesota

ZIP 56304 covers part of the Saint Cloud area, in the northern tier of the continental United States. The surrounding region experiences some of the harshest winters in the lower 48 and warm summers, with severe blizzards and spring tornado outbreaks shaping the natural hazards that residents of this ZIP code face. Risk scores here are derived from FEMA data for the encompassing county.

FEMA rates ZIP 56304's composite natural disaster risk at 5.8 out of 10 β€” moderate risk. Strong wind is the primary natural hazard, with the area exposed to downburst winds from convective storms that can exceed 80 mph and cause hurricane-level localized damage. Residents should also account for hail and wildfire risk in their preparedness planning.

ZIP 56304's risk score, slightly above the 5.2/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA, the highest-scoring are wind, hail, and wildfire. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

ZIP 56304'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 wind exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.

What this means for ZIP 56304: Strong Wind preparedness

  • 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.
  • Confirm your policy covers wind damage and keep an inventory of property for claims.

Risk for the surrounding area

Local Factors for ZIP 56304

These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 56304 from other communities in Minnesota County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.

Population

17,473

Suburban

Geographic Zone

Inland

Reduced coastal hazard exposure

Climate Band

Cool Continental

Latitude 45.5Β°

Flood Terrain

Minimal β€” county topography limits flood risk

Flood score: 1.0/10

Wildfire Exposure

Moderate β€” seasonal fire risk

Fire score: 7.9/10

Coordinates

45.5251Β° N, 94.0520Β° W

Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.

Recent Climate Data for ZIP 56304

Last 12 months Β· Source: Open-Meteo archive

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Nearby ZIP codes

Other cities in Minnesota

Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). County-level data applied to ZIP codes within each county. Scores are normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. This information is for general awareness only β€” consult official emergency management resources and a licensed insurer for property-specific advice.