Richland County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 35th
Richland County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 35.3, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Richland County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 35.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 35th 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 Richland County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $546K in expected annual loss and about 24.37 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 16.63 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $911K in expected annual loss and about 3.92 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Richland County has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Richland County has received 37 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 22 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (winter storm), declared in February 2024.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Richland County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 24.37 / yr | $546K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 16.63 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Medium | 3.92 / yr | $911K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $157K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $66K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.92 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.68 / yr | $601K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $364 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.14 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $96K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 31.64 / yr | $38K |
| 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
Richland County has received 37 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in February 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (22), Severe Storm (10), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| 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 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 37 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Richland County?
Richland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 35.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Richland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $546K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Hail (Medium, $911K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Richland County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Richland County ranks #14 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Richland County had?
FEMA records 37 federal disaster declarations for Richland County since 1965, most often 22 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds, declared in February 2024.
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. Richland County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.