Slope County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Slope County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.6, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $1M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Slope County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 0.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 1st 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $28K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $597K in expected annual loss and about 11.47 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Very Low risk — $12K in expected annual loss and about 28.82 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $1M in expected annual loss for a population of 699.
Beyond physical exposure, Slope County has a very low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Slope County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 3 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Slope County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 11.47 / yr | $597K |
| Drought | Very Low | 28.82 / yr | $12K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.44 / yr | $96K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 17.37 / yr | $23K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $11K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $40K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $21 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.51 / yr | $70K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $29K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 32.36 / yr | $7K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $861 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $220K |
| 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
Slope County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| November 2005 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding,Severe Winter Storms, Snowmelt, Spring Rains |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Blizzard Conditions |
| April 1978 | Flood | Storms, Ice Jams, Snowmelt & Flooding |
| February 1978 | Snowstorm | Blizzard & Snowstorms |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Slope County?
Slope County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 1th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Slope County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Very Low, $28K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $597K EAL), Drought (Very Low, $12K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Slope County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Slope County ranks #53 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Slope County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Slope County since 1978, most often 3 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Slope County's $1M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.