Rochester, MN
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Rochester is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Olmsted County, MN. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, tornado, and inland flooding.
Storm events near Rochester
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Rochester's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Rochester 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 Olmsted County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Rochester along with the rest of the county, not a Rochester-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 20.5 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 86.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 16.3 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 72.5 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 89.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 92.8 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 57.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 83.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 0 | No Rating |
| Ice Storm | 57.2 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 74.1 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 54.4 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 70.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 83.3 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Olmsted County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Olmsted County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Rochester, MN at risk of?
Rochester is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Olmsted County, where Rochester is located, are cold wave, tornado, and inland flooding.
What is Rochester's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Olmsted County, where Rochester is located, scoring 92.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Rochester a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Rochester carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Olmsted County.
Has Rochester had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 20 tornado, 195 hail, 48 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Rochester since 2016.