Morton County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Morton County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.6, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Morton County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Morton County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 2.65 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 19.47 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $967K in expected annual loss and about 0.88 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $26M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Morton County has a very low 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 federal record bears this out: Morton County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 16 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in September 2025.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Morton County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 2.65 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | High | 19.47 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.88 / yr | $967K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 14.32 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $375K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.55 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.74 / yr | $915K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.68 / yr | $8M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.55 / yr | $933 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $192K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 31.16 / yr | $131K |
| Drought | Very Low | 17.65 / yr | $14K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / 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
Morton County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (16), Severe Storm (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Flooding |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Morton County?
Morton County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Morton County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (High, $5M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $967K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Morton County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Morton County ranks #8 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Morton County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Morton County since 1966, most often 16 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds, declared in September 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. Morton County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.