Burke County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Burke County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.0, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Burke County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 1.0 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.
Risk here concentrates in winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $92K 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 — $55K 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 21.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Burke 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: Burke County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 9 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in July 2023.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Burke County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.16 / yr | $92K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $55K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 21.74 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.52 / yr | $57K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $284 |
| Drought | Very Low | 22.17 / yr | $17K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.17 / yr | $77K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $82K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 26.31 / yr | $36K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $59K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $475K |
| 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
Burke County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| September 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| November 2005 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Burke County?
Burke County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.0 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 Burke County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Low, $92K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $55K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Burke County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Burke County ranks #51 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Burke County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Burke County since 1969, most often 9 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Flooding, declared in July 2023.
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. Burke County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.