Golden Valley County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Golden Valley County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.1, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Golden Valley County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 13.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 12.11 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $64K in expected annual loss and about 16.42 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $227K in expected annual loss and about 2.27 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Golden Valley County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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: Golden Valley County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in July 2023.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Golden Valley County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 12.11 / yr | $4M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.42 / yr | $64K |
| Hail | Low | 2.27 / yr | $227K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $39K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.43 / yr | $35K |
| Drought | Very Low | 32.98 / yr | $16K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.41 / yr | $172K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $95K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.44 / yr | $30 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $15K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 30.56 / yr | $20K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $444K |
| 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
Golden Valley County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| May 2001 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, & Ground Saturation |
| December 2000 | Tornado | Severe Winter Storms and Tornadoes |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding,Severe Winter Storms, Snowmelt, Spring Rains |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Golden Valley County?
Golden Valley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Golden Valley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $64K EAL), Hail (Low, $227K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Golden Valley County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Golden Valley County ranks #27 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Golden Valley County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Golden Valley County since 1978, most often 4 for flood events and 3 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. Golden Valley County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.