Ramsey County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Ramsey County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.3, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Ramsey County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 18.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $509K in expected annual loss and about 21.32 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $514K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $469K in expected annual loss and about 0.50 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ramsey 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.
History supports the rating: Ramsey County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 15 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Ramsey County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 21.32 / yr | $509K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $514K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $469K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 23.53 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Low | 3.14 / yr | $651K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.57 / yr | $970K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $420 |
| Drought | Very Low | 9.12 / yr | $23K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.70 / yr | $529K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $27K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 26.37 / yr | $46K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.07 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Ramsey County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Flooding in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Flood (15), Severe Storm (10), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ramsey County?
Ramsey County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ramsey County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $509K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $514K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $469K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ramsey County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Ramsey County ranks #22 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ramsey County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Ramsey County since 1966, most often 15 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding, declared in July 2022.
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. Ramsey County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.