Oliver County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Oliver County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.7, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Oliver County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 1.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $51K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $72K in expected annual loss and about 18.84 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $266K in expected annual loss and about 2.56 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Oliver County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Oliver County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 9 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in September 2025.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Oliver County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $51K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.84 / yr | $72K |
| Hail | Low | 2.56 / yr | $266K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.80 / yr | $56K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 14.74 / yr | $508K |
| Drought | Very Low | 20.23 / yr | $5K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $134K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $19 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.62 / yr | $64K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.74 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 30.11 / yr | $6K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $693 |
| 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
Oliver County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| November 2005 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Oliver County?
Oliver County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Oliver County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Very Low, $51K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $72K EAL), Hail (Low, $266K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Oliver County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Oliver County ranks #49 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Oliver County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Oliver County since 1966, most often 9 for severe storm events and 8 for flood 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. Oliver County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.