Owatonna, MN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Owatonna is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk — among the lowest-risk counties in the country — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Steele County, MN. The county's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, hail, and tornado.
Storm events near Owatonna
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Owatonna's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Owatonna 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 Steele County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Owatonna along with the rest of the county, not a Owatonna-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 10.5 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 42.2 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 9.5 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 25.5 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 71 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 55.3 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 64.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 77.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 18.1 | Very Low |
| Landslide | 31.5 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 20.2 | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | 79.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 43.3 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Steele County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Steele County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Owatonna, MN at risk of?
Owatonna is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The highest-rated hazards for Steele County, where Owatonna is located, are strong wind, hail, and tornado.
What is Owatonna's biggest natural hazard risk?
Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for Steele County, where Owatonna is located, scoring 79.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Owatonna a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Owatonna carries among the lowest-risk counties in the country for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Very Low" for Steele County.
Has Owatonna had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 50 tornado, 110 hail, 30 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Owatonna since 2016.