Burleigh County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Burleigh County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.1, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $72M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Burleigh County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 85.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. 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 Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 19.42 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 2.46 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $20M in expected annual loss and about 17.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $72M in expected annual loss for a population of 98K.
Beyond physical exposure, Burleigh County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Burleigh County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 11 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in September 2025.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Burleigh County ranks #1 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 19.42 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | High | 2.46 / yr | $15M |
| Cold Wave | High | 17.11 / yr | $20M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.98 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $827K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.04 / yr | $23M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.52 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.95 / yr | $552K |
| Lightning | Low | 30.16 / yr | $320K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $435 |
| Drought | Very Low | 14.93 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| 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
Burleigh County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (11), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, & Ground Saturation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Burleigh County?
Burleigh County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Burleigh County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $3M EAL), Hail (High, $15M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $20M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Burleigh County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Burleigh County ranks #1 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Burleigh County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Burleigh County since 1969, most often 11 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds, declared in September 2025.
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. Burleigh County's $72M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.