Hettinger County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Hettinger County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.2, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hettinger County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 9.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th 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 Hettinger County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $226K in expected annual loss and about 18.16 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $747K in expected annual loss and about 2.65 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $197K in expected annual loss and about 0.60 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hettinger 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Hettinger County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 9 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in July 2023.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Hettinger County ranks #34 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.16 / yr | $226K |
| Hail | Medium | 2.65 / yr | $747K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $197K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $55K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 12.26 / yr | $972K |
| Drought | Very Low | 18.92 / yr | $12K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $320K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.69 / yr | $201K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $30 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 32.49 / yr | $29K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Hettinger County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (6), 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 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding,Severe Winter Storms, Snowmelt, Spring Rains |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hettinger County?
Hettinger County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hettinger County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $226K EAL), Hail (Medium, $747K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $197K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hettinger County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Hettinger County ranks #34 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hettinger County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Hettinger County since 1966, most often 9 for flood events and 6 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. Hettinger County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.