Elk River, MN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Elk River 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 Elk River
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Elk River's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Elk River 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 Elk River along with the rest of the county, not a Elk River-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 Elk River, MN at risk of?
Elk River 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 Elk River is located, are strong wind, hail, and wildfire.
What is Elk River's biggest natural hazard risk?
Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for Sherburne County, where Elk River is located, scoring 87.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Elk River a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Elk River 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 Elk River had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 10 tornado, 251 hail, 15 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Elk River since 2016.