FEMA Says These 6 Counties In Minnesota Are At Elevated Risk

FEMA has all sorts of maps and assessments for potential emergencies and natural disasters that could happen in the United States. Most of Minnesota is relatively safe, but there are 6 counties that are at either moderately high risk or relatively high risk in the state. Here's what the potential risks are.

Most of Minnesota is in pretty good shape.

Almost all of the counties are in a relatively low or very low-risk index. FEMA looks at the following risks: Avanches, coastal flooding, cold waves, drought, earthquakes, hail, heat waves, hurricanes, ice storms, landslides, lightning strikes, riverine flooding, tornados, tsunamis, volcanic activity, wildfires, and winter weather.

Counties with elevated risks:

Anoka County

FEMA says Anoka County has a relatively moderate risk index. That puts it at 96.6 percentile of counties in Minnesota, and 89.98 in the National Percentile. What are the risks for Anoka?

It's no surprise that a cold wave risk is very high at almost 100%. Hail risk is relatively high, ice storms are very likely, and strong winds and tornados are a risk for the county.

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Washington County

Washington County also has a relatively moderate risk, scoring 86.76 in the national percentile. The biggest threats to Washington County are cold waves, heat waves, ice storms, lightning strikes, strong winds, and tornados. The highest-scoring threat on the index was strong winds at 98.9 percent.

Ramsey County

There's a very high risk of cold waves and heat waves. Severe storms are a threat with a 98.9 score for high winds and a 99 score for tornados in Ramsey County.

Related: FEMA Shares Map Of Potential Nuclear Targets In Minnesota

Dakota County

As with just about every county in Minnesota, the threat of a cold wave is relatively high. Other top threats FEMA indicates for Dakota County are heat waves, hail, strong winds, and tornados.

Scott County

The threats to Scott County are strong winds, tornados, and ice storms.

The county most at risk in Minnesota is Hennepin County

Hennepin County scored 95.58 on FEMA's risk index. That makes it at relatively high risk because of winter weather, cold waves, heat waves, hail, and strong winds. Tornados are a threat to Hennepin County with an index of 99.7.