Griggs County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Griggs County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.1, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail 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 Griggs County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 5.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 Griggs County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $279K in expected annual loss and about 0.71 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $553K in expected annual loss and about 3.78 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $88K in expected annual loss and about 22.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Griggs County has a medium 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: Griggs County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 11 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in October 2025.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Griggs County ranks #41 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.71 / yr | $279K |
| Hail | Low | 3.78 / yr | $553K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 22.89 / yr | $88K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.02 / yr | $624K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 21.16 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $45K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $228 |
| Drought | Very Low | 6.10 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $166K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $8K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 28.45 / yr | $7K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $319K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $724 |
| 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
Griggs County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (9), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| July 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Griggs County?
Griggs County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Griggs County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $279K EAL), Hail (Low, $553K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $88K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Griggs County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Griggs County ranks #41 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Griggs County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Griggs County since 1966, most often 11 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in October 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. Griggs County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.