Sheridan County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Sheridan County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.0, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sheridan County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 5.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 2.48 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $243K in expected annual loss and about 21.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $302K in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sheridan County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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: Sheridan County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 9 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in September 2025.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Sheridan County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 2.48 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 21.00 / yr | $243K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $302K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $145K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 19.95 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Very Low | 14.41 / yr | $14K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.35 / yr | $401K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.35 / yr | $133K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $41 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.37 / yr | $7K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $862K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 28.27 / 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
Sheridan County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (9), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| November 2005 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sheridan County?
Sheridan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sheridan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $243K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $302K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sheridan County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Sheridan County ranks #42 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sheridan County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Sheridan County since 1969, most often 9 for severe storm events and 9 for flood 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. Sheridan County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.