Brainerd, MN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Brainerd is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Crow Wing County, MN. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, inland flooding, and strong wind.
Storm events near Brainerd
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Brainerd's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Brainerd 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 Crow Wing County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Brainerd along with the rest of the county, not a Brainerd-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 76.1 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 84.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 10.9 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 56.8 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 61.3 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 91.4 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 42.6 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 73.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 49.7 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 66.2 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 71.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 76.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 58.7 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Crow Wing County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Crow Wing County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Brainerd, MN at risk of?
Brainerd 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 Crow Wing County, where Brainerd is located, are cold wave, inland flooding, and strong wind.
What is Brainerd's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Crow Wing County, where Brainerd is located, scoring 91.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Brainerd a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Brainerd carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Crow Wing County.
Has Brainerd had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 14 tornado, 182 hail, 14 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Brainerd since 2016.