Eddy County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Eddy County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.8, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm 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
Overall natural disaster risk in Eddy County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 1.8 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $278K in expected annual loss and about 0.69 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $146K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $112K in expected annual loss and about 21.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Eddy 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.
History supports the rating: Eddy County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 13 for flood events and 8 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, Eddy County ranks #48 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.69 / yr | $278K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $146K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 21.42 / yr | $112K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 22.32 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 3.13 / yr | $261K |
| Drought | Very Low | 11.92 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $117 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $172K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.54 / yr | $152K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $6K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.86 / yr | $416K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 27.31 / 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
Eddy County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (13), Severe Storm (8), 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 |
| January 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| August 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Eddy County?
Eddy County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.8 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 Eddy County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $278K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $146K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $112K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Eddy County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Eddy County ranks #48 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Eddy County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Eddy County since 1969, most often 13 for flood events and 8 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. Eddy County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.