Big Lake, MN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Big Lake is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Sherburne County, MN. The county's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, hail, and wildfire.
Storm events near Big Lake
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Big Lake's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Big Lake itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Sherburne County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Big Lake along with the rest of the county, not a Big Lake-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 76.4 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 62.5 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 6.5 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 58.4 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 70.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 54 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 61.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 77.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 47.4 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 40.9 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 61 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 87.8 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 51.4 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Sherburne County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Sherburne County:
More on Sherburne County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Big Lake, MN at risk of?
Big Lake is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Sherburne County, where Big Lake is located, are strong wind, hail, and wildfire.
What is Big Lake's biggest natural hazard risk?
Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for Sherburne County, where Big Lake is located, scoring 87.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Big Lake a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Big Lake carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Sherburne County.
Has Big Lake had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 220 hail, 9 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Big Lake since 2016.