Nelson County
North Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 8th
Nelson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.9, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.70 / yr | $676K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.67 / yr | $283K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 22.42 / yr | $116K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $106K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 22.84 / yr | $908K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $256 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.06 / yr | $203K |
| Drought | Very Low | 9.98 / yr | $12K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.69 / yr | $193K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 26.99 / yr | $12K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $460K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Nelson County?
Nelson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nelson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $676K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $283K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $116K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nelson County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Nelson County ranks #36 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Nelson County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.