Minneapolis, MN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Minneapolis is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Hennepin County, MN. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, tornado, and hail.
Storm events near Minneapolis
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Minneapolis's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Minneapolis 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 Hennepin County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Minneapolis along with the rest of the county, not a Minneapolis-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 74.9 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 98 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 49.8 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 99.1 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 99.6 | Very High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 99.8 | Very High |
| Drought | 40.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 99.6 | Very High |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 79.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 82.4 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 90.3 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 98.9 | Very High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 97.4 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Hennepin County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Hennepin County:
More on Hennepin County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Minneapolis, MN at risk of?
Minneapolis is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Hennepin County, where Minneapolis is located, are cold wave, tornado, and hail.
What is Minneapolis's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Hennepin County, where Minneapolis is located, scoring 99.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Minneapolis a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Minneapolis carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Hennepin County.
Has Minneapolis had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 21 tornado, 455 hail, 34 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Minneapolis since 2016.