Rolette County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Rolette County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.9, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Rolette County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 52.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 53rd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $531K in expected annual loss and about 20.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $524K in expected annual loss and about 0.50 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rolette County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Rolette County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 13 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (severe storm), declared in July 2022.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Rolette County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 20.00 / yr | $531K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.50 / yr | $524K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 22.79 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.13 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.73 / yr | $257K |
| Hail | Low | 1.67 / yr | $105K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.23 / yr | $335K |
| Drought | Very Low | 11.51 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Low | 25.67 / yr | $60K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $17K |
| 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
Rolette County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Flooding in July 2022. Most frequent causes: Flood (13), Severe Storm (8), 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 2017 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation |
| 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 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rolette County?
Rolette County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rolette County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $531K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $524K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rolette County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Rolette County ranks #7 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rolette County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Rolette County since 1969, most often 13 for flood events and 8 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. Rolette County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.