Northfield, MN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Northfield is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Rice County, MN. The county's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, hail, and tornado.
Storm events near Northfield
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Northfield's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Northfield 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 Rice County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Northfield along with the rest of the county, not a Northfield-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 33 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 77.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 12.8 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 51.3 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 89.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 79.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 53 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 94.1 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 52.4 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 69 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 43 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 96.2 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 73.8 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Rice County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Rice County:
More on Rice County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Northfield, MN at risk of?
Northfield 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 Rice County, where Northfield is located, are strong wind, hail, and tornado.
What is Northfield's biggest natural hazard risk?
Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for Rice County, where Northfield is located, scoring 96.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Northfield a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Northfield carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Rice County.
Has Northfield had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 50 tornado, 182 hail, 19 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Northfield since 2016.