🌍 ClimateRiskCheck

Natural Disaster Risk β€” ZIP Code 56701

Thief River Falls, Minnesota

4.6out of 10
Moderate Risk

Risk Summary for ZIP 56701

ZIP 56701 scores 4.6/10 (Moderate risk), near the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Wildfire.

Top Hazards

Wildfire Winter Weather Drought

All 18 Hazard Scores

Wildfire
8.4
Winter Weather
8.0
Drought
7.4
Ice Storm
5.8
Tsunami
5.4
Volcanic Activity
5.1
Hail
4.9
Coastal Flooding
4.9
Cold Wave
4.8
Avalanche
4.5
Tornado
3.6
Strong Wind
3.1
Landslide
2.9
Extreme Heat
2.6
Lightning
2.5
Hurricane
2.4
Earthquake
1.5
Riverine Flooding
1.0

How it compares

ZIP 56701
4.6
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 56701, Minnesota

Located in the northern tier of the continental United States, ZIP 56701 serves the Thief River Falls community. The continental climate of this part of Minnesota β€” bringing some of the harshest winters in the lower 48 and warm summers β€” directly shapes the hazard exposure for properties in this postal area.

ZIP 56701's overall natural disaster risk is rated 4.6/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Fire risk is the leading concern in the area, where seasonal drought and combustible vegetation combine to create a high-risk wildfire environment. Secondary hazards include winter and drought.

Relative to other U.S. communities, ZIP 56701's natural disaster risk is near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly below the 5.2/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by wildfire and winter, as measured by FEMA across Minnesota. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a moderate risk rating, ZIP 56701 residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices β€” an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for wildfire is recommended.

What this means for ZIP 56701: Wildfire preparedness

  • Use fire-resistant roofing and screen vents to block ember intrusion, the leading cause of home ignition.
  • Prepare a go-bag and evacuation plan; wildfires can move faster than expected when winds pick up.
  • Create defensible space by clearing flammable vegetation within 30–100 feet of structures.

Risk for the surrounding area

Local Factors for ZIP 56701

These city-level factors differentiate ZIP 56701 from other communities in Minnesota County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.

Population

12,705

Suburban

Geographic Zone

Inland

Reduced coastal hazard exposure

Climate Band

Northern Continental

Latitude 48.1Β°

Flood Terrain

Minimal β€” county topography limits flood risk

Flood score: 1.0/10

Wildfire Exposure

Moderate β€” seasonal fire risk

Fire score: 8.4/10

Coordinates

48.1202Β° N, 96.1994Β° 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 56701

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.