Billings County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Billings County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.9, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Billings County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 0.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 1st 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 Billings County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $179K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $309K in expected annual loss and about 2.19 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $50K in expected annual loss and about 16.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 945.
Beyond physical exposure, Billings County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Billings County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 4 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Billings County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $179K |
| Hail | Low | 2.19 / yr | $309K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.63 / yr | $50K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.44 / yr | $30K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $217 |
| Drought | Very Low | 26.88 / yr | $4K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 12.32 / yr | $233K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.33 / yr | $122K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $73K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $723K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 31.16 / yr | $10K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Billings County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Flooding in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| November 2005 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding,Severe Winter Storms, Snowmelt, Spring Rains |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Blizzard Conditions |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Billings County?
Billings County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 1th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Billings County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $179K EAL), Hail (Low, $309K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $50K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Billings County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Billings County ranks #52 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Billings County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Billings County since 1978, most often 4 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding, declared in July 2022.
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. Billings County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.