Steele County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Steele County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.6, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Steele County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 6.6 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.38 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $796K in expected annual loss and about 4.18 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $274K in expected annual loss and about 0.62 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Steele 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 federal record bears this out: Steele County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 14 for flood events and 13 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes (severe storm), declared in October 2025.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Steele County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.38 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.18 / yr | $796K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.62 / yr | $274K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 23.53 / yr | $87K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 21.21 / yr | $969K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $180 |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.60 / yr | $6K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $216K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $7K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $505K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 28.44 / yr | $6K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Steele County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (14), Severe Storm (13), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 31 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Steele County?
Steele County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.6 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 Steele County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Medium, $796K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $274K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Steele County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Steele County ranks #39 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Steele County had?
FEMA records 31 federal disaster declarations for Steele County since 1965, most often 14 for flood events and 13 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes, declared in October 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. Steele County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.