Bottineau County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Bottineau County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.7, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Bottineau County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 18.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 19th 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.
Risk here concentrates in winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $527K in expected annual loss and about 20.21 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $733K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $338K in expected annual loss and about 0.54 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bottineau County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Bottineau County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 14 for flood events and 9 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Bottineau County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 20.21 / yr | $527K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $733K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $338K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 22.63 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 1.40 / yr | $182K |
| Drought | Low | 19.24 / yr | $51K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.59 / yr | $358K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $409K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 26.27 / yr | $47K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Bottineau County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Flooding in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Flood (14), Severe Storm (9), 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 |
| 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 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bottineau County?
Bottineau County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bottineau County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $527K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $733K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $338K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bottineau County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Bottineau County ranks #21 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bottineau County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Bottineau County since 1969, most often 14 for flood events and 9 for severe storm 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. Bottineau County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.