Mountrail County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 21th
Mountrail County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.4, 21th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Mountrail County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 21.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 21st 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 Mountrail County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $400K in expected annual loss and about 17.89 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 20.74 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $350K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Mountrail County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 federal record bears this out: Mountrail County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 12 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in July 2023.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Mountrail County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 17.89 / yr | $400K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 20.74 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $350K |
| Hail | Medium | 1.80 / yr | $699K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $209K |
| Drought | Low | 25.68 / yr | $33K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.46 / yr | $579K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.96 / yr | $238K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $145 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 27.16 / yr | $62K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $29K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Mountrail County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (12), Severe Storm (10), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| October 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| August 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
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 Mountrail County?
Mountrail County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 21.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 21th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mountrail County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $400K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $350K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mountrail County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Mountrail County ranks #19 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Mountrail County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Mountrail County since 1969, most often 12 for flood events and 10 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. Mountrail County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.