Benson County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Benson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.3, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Benson County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 24.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Benson County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $225K in expected annual loss and about 20.74 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 23.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $296K in expected annual loss and about 0.59 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Benson County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Benson County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 15 for flood events and 11 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (severe storm), declared in October 2020.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Benson County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 20.74 / yr | $225K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 23.00 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.59 / yr | $296K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $251K |
| Hail | Low | 2.62 / yr | $335K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.24 / yr | $581K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $714 |
| Drought | Low | 13.28 / yr | $22K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.62 / yr | $157K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 26.58 / yr | $16K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.18 / yr | $584K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Benson County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in October 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (15), Severe Storm (11), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2017 | Flood | Flooding |
| August 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 31 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Benson County?
Benson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $225K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $296K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benson County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Benson County ranks #18 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Benson County had?
FEMA records 31 federal disaster declarations for Benson County since 1969, most often 15 for flood events and 11 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in October 2020.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Benson County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.