Moorhead, MN

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 45,726 · Part of Clay County

Moorhead is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Clay County, MN. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, cold wave, and inland flooding.

Storm events near Moorhead

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Moorhead's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Moorhead itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 15 events
Hail 119 events
Inland Flooding 32 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Clay County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Moorhead along with the rest of the county, not a Moorhead-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 66 Relatively Low
Inland Flooding 82.4 Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flooding Not Applicable
Earthquake 14.8 Very Low
Heat Wave 38.7 Very Low
Tornado 62 Relatively Low
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 85.1 Relatively Moderate
Drought 49.4 Relatively Low
Hail 80.5 Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Not Applicable
Ice Storm 50.9 Relatively Low
Landslide 47.3 Very Low
Lightning 30.4 Relatively Low
Strong Wind 78.8 Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Not Applicable
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 95.8 Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Clay County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

More on Clay County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Moorhead, MN at risk of?

Moorhead 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 Clay County, where Moorhead is located, are winter weather, cold wave, and inland flooding.

What is Moorhead's biggest natural hazard risk?

Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Clay County, where Moorhead is located, scoring 95.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").

Is Moorhead a high-risk area for natural disasters?

No — Moorhead carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Clay County.

Has Moorhead had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 15 tornado, 119 hail, 32 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Moorhead since 2016.