Bowman County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Bowman County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.1, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Bowman County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 2.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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 Bowman County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $113K in expected annual loss and about 17.16 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $90K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 11.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bowman County has a very 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: Bowman County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Bowman County ranks #46 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.16 / yr | $113K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $90K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 11.47 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 2.37 / yr | $233K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.57 / yr | $69K |
| Drought | Very Low | 40.26 / yr | $18K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.52 / yr | $145K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $111K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $20 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $13K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 33.33 / yr | $27K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $551K |
| 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
Bowman County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2007 | 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 |
| December 2000 | Tornado | Severe Winter Storms and Tornadoes |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding,Severe Winter Storms, Snowmelt, Spring Rains |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bowman County?
Bowman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bowman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Low, $113K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $90K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bowman County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Bowman County ranks #46 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bowman County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Bowman County since 1978, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 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. Bowman County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.