Logan County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk

FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

9.9

National percentile: 10th

Logan County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.9, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather 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 Logan County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 9.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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 — $2M in expected annual loss and about 16.42 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $120K in expected annual loss and about 21.53 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $397K in expected annual loss and about 2.59 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.

Beyond physical exposure, Logan 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.

The county's disaster history tells the same story: Logan County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 12 for flood events and 9 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (winter storm), declared in February 2024.

Among 53 North Dakota counties, Logan County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.

Expected Annual Loss $4M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 2K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Medium $2M/yr
Medium $120K/yr
Low $397K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Cold Wave Medium 16.42 / yr$2M
Winter Weather Medium 21.53 / yr$120K
Hail Low 2.59 / yr$397K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr$51K
Ice Storm Low 0.90 / yr$37K
Strong Wind Low 1.64 / yr$263K
Drought Very Low 11.08 / yr$15K
Tornado Very Low 0.34 / yr$160K
Heat Wave Very Low 1.68 / yr$10K
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.21 / yr$677K
Landslide Very Low 0.15 / yr$4
Lightning Very Low 30.57 / yr$10K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr$2K
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

Logan County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in February 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (12), Severe Storm (9), Biological (2).

DeclaredTypeDisaster
February 2024Winter StormSevere Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds
July 2022Severe StormSevere Winter Storm and Flooding
July 2020FloodFlooding
April 2020BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19
January 2020FloodFlooding
June 2019FloodFlooding
May 2011FloodFlooding
April 2010FloodFlooding
February 2010Severe StormSevere 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 Logan County?

Logan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Logan County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $120K EAL), Hail (Low, $397K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Logan County compare to other North Dakota counties?

Logan County ranks #33 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

How many federally declared disasters has Logan County had?

FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Logan County since 1969, most often 12 for flood events and 9 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds, declared in February 2024.

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. Logan County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.