Ransom County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Ransom County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.2, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Ransom County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 13.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $355K in expected annual loss and about 0.32 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $146K in expected annual loss and about 23.21 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 17.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Ransom County has a 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: Ransom County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 18 for flood events and 12 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, Ransom County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $355K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 23.21 / yr | $146K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 17.11 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 3.71 / yr | $513K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $96K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.33 / yr | $622K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.49 / yr | $394K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.83 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.36 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.84 / yr | $34K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 30.84 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Ransom County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (18), Severe Storm (12), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| February 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| February 2023 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| July 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 36 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ransom County?
Ransom County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ransom County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $355K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $146K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ransom County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Ransom County ranks #26 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Ransom County had?
FEMA records 36 federal disaster declarations for Ransom County since 1965, most often 18 for flood events and 12 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. Ransom County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.