Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 55738, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Unincorporated, MN (55738) are Cold Wave, Inland Flooding, and Heat Wave. This area also faces an unusually high intensity for Winter Weather, Lightning, and Drought compared to national averages.

Understanding the Dollars

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) is a statistical average of property damage for this entire zip code over a standard year across all properties.

  • / It represents the "average cost" rather than a guaranteed yearly bill.
  • / It can be used to compare the relative risk from different hazards and across different neighborhoods.

Primary Risks

Cold Wave

$474,168

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 55738

99.6Score

Very High compared to US average

55738 (OUTLIER)
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Inland Flooding

$386,368

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 55738

84.2Score

Relatively High compared to US average

55738
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Heat Wave

$23,148

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 55738

71.5Score

Relatively Moderate compared to US average

55738
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Zip Code Risk Map

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Cold Wave
$474,168
Score: 99.6
MAJOR DRIVER
Inland Flooding
$386,368
Score: 84.2
MAJOR DRIVER
Heat Wave
$23,148
Score: 71.5
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Winter Weather
$12,612
Score: 97.6
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Lightning
$10,441
Score: 83.5
Tornado
$9,813
Score: 38.0
Hail
$4,990
Score: 65.3
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Drought
$4,568
Score: 89.4
Strong Wind
$4,532
Score: 46.4
Wildfire
$1,521
Score: 79.3
Ice Storm
$696
Score: 30.1
Earthquake
$38
Score: 0.8
Landslide
$7
Score: 69.8

Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

🏠Low Investment

Cold Wave Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 99.6
💧Medium Investment

Inland Flooding Mitigation

Install a smart sump pump with battery backup and extend downspouts 10ft from foundation.

Risk Score: 84.2
☀️Low Investment

Heat Wave Mitigation

Ensure attic insulation is R-49+ and consider a dual-fuel backup generator for AC.

Risk Score: 71.5
🏠Low Investment

Winter Weather Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 97.6
🏠Low Investment

Lightning Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 83.5
🏠Low Investment

Drought Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 89.4

Methodology and Sources

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

  • FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0)
  • U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Locations

Zip Code 55751Zip Code 55724Zip Code 55765Zip Code 55746Zip Code 55768Zip Code 55734