Divide County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Divide County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.8, 6th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm 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 Divide County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 5.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 6th 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 Divide County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $201K in expected annual loss and about 16.05 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $153K in expected annual loss and about 0.45 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $64K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Divide County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Divide County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 8 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Divide County ranks #40 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.05 / yr | $201K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.45 / yr | $153K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $64K |
| Hail | Low | 1.19 / yr | $268K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 19.26 / yr | $914K |
| Drought | Low | 28.27 / yr | $25K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $190K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 25.53 / yr | $40K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $80K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $22 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $711K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Divide County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Flooding in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| December 2000 | Tornado | Severe Winter Storms and Tornadoes |
| June 1999 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Divide County?
Divide County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 6th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Divide County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $201K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $153K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $64K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Divide County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Divide County ranks #40 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Divide County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Divide County since 1969, most often 8 for flood events and 4 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. Divide County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.