Becker County, MN Environment & Hazard Risk
Very Low natural hazard risk, led by winter weather. 903 storm events since 1996.
- Expected yearly loss
- $11.74M
- Very Low nationally
- Storm events since 1996
- 903
- Most often hail
- Flood insurance policies
- 5
- 0.0% of homes
- Hurricanes nearby
- 0
- Since 1851
Natural hazard risk
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Overall risk
Very Low
Score 37.4 of 100
Social vulnerability
Relatively Moderate
Score 40.4 of 100
Community resilience
Very High
Score 85.1 of 100
Community resilience runs the other way: a higher rating means a community can recover faster.
Building value exposed: $11.16B · Agriculture value exposed: $225M · Risk-adjusted yearly loss: $12.25M
Risk by hazard
- Winter weatherRelatively High$391K/yr expected annual loss, about 20 events a year
- LandslideRelatively Low$13.99K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years
- WildfireRelatively Low$313K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 876 years
- HailRelatively Low$428K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.7 events a year
- TornadoRelatively Low$1.55M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
- Cold waveRelatively Low$1.14M/yr expected annual loss, about 17 events a year
- Strong windRelatively Low$545K/yr expected annual loss, about 2.3 events a year
- DroughtRelatively Low$130K/yr expected annual loss, about 6.6 events a year
- Heat waveVery Low$107K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
- LightningVery Low$71.14K/yr expected annual loss, about 29 events a year
- Ice stormVery Low$7,518/yr expected annual loss, about once every 28 years
- EarthquakeVery Low$7,240/yr expected annual loss, about once every 9,174 years
Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, hurricane, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.
Flood risk and insurance
National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA flood maps
Check the flood zone for an address
- Homes with flood insurance
- 5 of 25,185 (0.0%)
- Homes in high-risk flood zones
- 0
- Flood claims since 1978
- 92
- Claims paid since 1978
- $1.14M
Flood claims paid per year
- Flooding$27.37K · 5 claims
- Not a named storm$12.75K · 1 claim
- Severe flooding$2,183 · 2 claims
Storm history
Since 1996: 903 events, 0 deaths, $9M in damage
- Hail231
- Thunderstorm Wind158
- Winter Storm115
- Extreme Cold/Wind Chill79
- Heavy Snow71
- Blizzard59
- Cold/Wind Chill32
- Drought29
- High Wind28
- Tornado22
Events per year
35 tornadoes on record (EF0 2, EF1 2, EF2 2, F0 17, F1 9, F2 1).
Most damaging storms
Since 1996, ranked by deaths, injuries and damage
- Flood06/20/2000
West Becker
$4M damage
- TornadoEF2, 9.86 mi path, 1,100 yd wide07/07/2026
Westbury, Becker County
3 injured
What happened
The tornado appears to have begun about northwest of Wheeler Lake, tracking over the lake where it caused roof damage to a few homes and snapped the trunks of a few large oak and poplar trees on the west side of the lake. The tornado continued east where it appears to have widened to around a half mile in width along the western shore of (Big) Floyd Lake. This is where the highest rated survey damage occurred with a few anchored and modestly built garages were collapsed. A few other more questionably built garages and outbuildings were swept clean in the Oakland Beach neighborhood along with widespread roofing and tree damage. It was in this same area that a 6 by 12 foot horse trailer was lofted and carried about 1/8sm from its stables. The tornado then continued across the lake onto the eastern shore inflicting more roof and tree damage. The last visible surveyed damage was near the corner of Co HWY 25 and Anchor Rd about 3 miles east of the southern end of (Big) Floyd Lake. Based on Satellite the tornado appears to have tracked another 3 miles ESE from where it crossed Co HWY 25. Max wind speed estimated at 115 mph. ||1 injury can be directly attributed to the tornado as a...
- Thunderstorm Wind75 kt wind07/04/2018
Tamarac Refuge, Becker County
1 injured
What happened
Significant tree damage occurred near Elbow and Tulaby lakes, with about a half mile stretch of fallen trees. Six cabins sustained some damage, mostly due to fallen trees. One injury occurred to an individual who was outside during the storm. Ambulance services had to have numerous trees cut down and moved to reach the site.
- Thunderstorm Wind70 kt wind07/12/2017
Callaway, Becker County
$800K damage
What happened
Large trees and power lines were blown down. Wind driven hail damaged fields and buildings.
- Thunderstorm Wind70 kt wind07/29/2008
Osage, Becker County
$600K damage
What happened
A two stall garage was demolished and the contents strewn downwind due to downburst winds. Nearby roofs received shingle or roofing damage and numerous trees were snapped or toppled over from northeast Carsonville into northern Osage Township.
- Thunderstorm Wind70 kt wind07/12/2017
Shoreham, Becker County
$400K damage
What happened
Numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted around Lake Sallie, Lake Melissa, and the greater Detroit Lakes area. Roads were blocked by fallen trees and power lines were blown down.
Latest storm reports
Newest first
- Excessive Heat07/12/2026
West Becker
- Excessive Heat07/12/2026
East Becker
- Thunderstorm Wind56 kt wind07/07/2026
(Dtl)detroit Lakes Airport, Becker County
- Thunderstorm Wind56 kt wind07/07/2026
Audubon, Becker County
- TornadoEF2, 9.86 mi path, 1,100 yd wide07/07/2026
Westbury, Becker County
3 injured
- Thunderstorm Wind70 kt wind07/07/2026
Westbury, Becker County
- Thunderstorm Wind65 kt wind07/07/2026
Westbury, Becker County
- Thunderstorm Wind61 kt wind07/07/2026
Richwood, Becker County
Drinking water
10 community water systems serve about 13,540 people. Violations since 2021.
1 system had health-based violations, such as a contaminant over the legal limit or a missed treatment step. 1 system had a violation of any kind still open at last report.
- Detroit LakesServes 10,038 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
- FrazeeServes 1,400 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
- Lake ParkServes 714 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
- AudubonServes 570 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
- CallawayServes 234 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
- OgemaServes 204 · Purchased groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
- Twin Haven EstatesServes 200 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
- Kountry Manor Mobile Home ParkServes 80 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+3 monitoring or reporting
Largest systems by population served. Monitoring and reporting violations mean required tests or notices were late or missing, not that the water was unsafe.
Climate
1991-2020 normals at Tamarac Wildlife Re, 2 mi from the county center
Summer highs peak around 79°F in Jul and winter lows bottom out near -4°F in Jan..
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°F | -4°F | - |
| Feb | 23°F | -1°F | - |
| Mar | 37°F | 16°F | - |
| Apr | 52°F | 30°F | - |
| May | 66°F | 44°F | - |
| Jun | 75°F | 55°F | - |
| Jul | 79°F | 60°F | - |
| Aug | 78°F | 57°F | - |
| Sep | 70°F | 48°F | - |
| Oct | 54°F | 35°F | - |
| Nov | 39°F | 21°F | - |
| Dec | 24°F | 6°F | - |
| Year | 41°F average | - | |
Pollution sites
0 Superfund sites and 5 toxic release facilities in Becker County
Superfund sites
None in this county.
Toxic release facilities
- Btd Manufacturing Inc45.2 lbs released, Detroit Lakes
- S J Electro Systems Inc2.1 lbs released, Detroit Lakes
- Purina Animal Nutrition LLC - Detroit Lakes0 lbs released, Detroit Lakes
- Team Industries Dl0 lbs released, Detroit Lakes
- Team Industries-Audubon0 lbs released, Audubon
Total: 47.3 lbs in 2024, 47.3 lbs to air.
Superfund sitesToxic release facilitiesEPA inspections and enforcementAir toxics cancer risk6 historic places
Frequently asked questions
- How risky is Becker County for natural disasters?
- FEMA rates Becker County very low for overall natural hazard risk, with expected losses of $11.74M a year. The highest-rated hazards are winter weather (relatively high), landslide (relatively low), wildfire (relatively low).
- What storms are most common in Becker County?
- Since 1996, NOAA recorded 903 storm events affecting Becker County, most often hail (231), thunderstorm wind (158), winter storm (115).
- How many tornadoes have hit Becker County?
- 35 tornadoes have been recorded in Becker County since 1950.
- How many homes in Becker County have flood insurance?
- 5 residential flood insurance policies are in force in Becker County, covering about 0.0% of homes. The program has paid $1.14M on 92 claims here since 1978.
- What is the weather like in Becker County?
- At Tamarac Wildlife Re, average highs reach 79°F in Jul and lows fall to -4°F in Jan (1991-2020 normals).
Source: FEMA (National Risk Index, NFIP), NOAA (Storm Events, HURDAT2, Climate Normals), EPA · Last updated 08/01/2026 · Storm counts include events in forecast zones that touch the county. This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.