Kidder County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Kidder County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 3.1, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather 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
Kidder County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 3.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd 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 Kidder County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $124K in expected annual loss and about 21.21 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $439K in expected annual loss and about 2.43 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 17.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kidder County has a very low 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: Kidder County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 12 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, Kidder County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Low | 21.21 / yr | $124K |
| Hail | Low | 2.43 / yr | $439K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 17.89 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.92 / yr | $106K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.42 / yr | $333K |
| Drought | Very Low | 12.75 / yr | $18K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.49 / yr | $246K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $11K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $12 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $683K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 29.63 / yr | $7K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Kidder County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), 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 |
| February 2023 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| September 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 Kidder County?
Kidder County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 3.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kidder County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Low, $124K EAL), Hail (Low, $439K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kidder County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Kidder County ranks #45 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kidder County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Kidder County since 1976, most often 12 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. Kidder County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.