Emmons County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Emmons County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.3, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Emmons County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 44.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 44th national percentile and below the national average 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.79 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $323K in expected annual loss and about 20.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Emmons County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Emmons County has received 26 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, Emmons County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.79 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 20.16 / yr | $323K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 14.95 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.01 / yr | $194K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.45 / yr | $747K |
| Drought | Low | 16.07 / yr | $36K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.81 / yr | $261K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $243 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.95 / yr | $21K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 30.86 / yr | $25K |
| 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
Emmons County has received 26 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 |
| September 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Emmons County?
Emmons County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Emmons County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $323K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Emmons County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Emmons County ranks #11 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Emmons County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Emmons 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. Emmons County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.