Sargent County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Sargent County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.4, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Sargent County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 7.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 7th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.80 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $285K in expected annual loss and about 0.40 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $133K in expected annual loss and about 23.68 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sargent County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Sargent County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 15 for flood events and 11 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, Sargent County ranks #38 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 3.80 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.40 / yr | $285K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 23.68 / yr | $133K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 16.63 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.69 / yr | $997K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.83 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.51 / yr | $254K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $90 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.95 / yr | $26K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $662K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 31.51 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Sargent County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in February 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (15), Severe Storm (11), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| January 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sargent County?
Sargent County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 7th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sargent County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $285K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $133K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sargent County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Sargent County ranks #38 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sargent County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Sargent County since 1966, most often 15 for flood events and 11 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. Sargent County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.