Stutsman County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Stutsman County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.4, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Stutsman County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 46.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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.
Most of Stutsman County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $965K in expected annual loss and about 22.89 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.84 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 18.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stutsman County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Stutsman County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 15 for flood events and 11 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, Stutsman County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 22.89 / yr | $965K |
| Hail | Medium | 2.84 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 18.89 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.78 / yr | $709K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $151K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.49 / yr | $924K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.31 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Low | 1.02 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 9.25 / yr | $46K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.58 / yr | $98K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 30.24 / yr | $20K |
| 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
Stutsman County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (15), Severe Storm (11), 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 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 |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2010 | 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 Stutsman County?
Stutsman County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stutsman County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $965K EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stutsman County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Stutsman County ranks #9 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stutsman County had?
FEMA records 31 federal disaster declarations for Stutsman County since 1966, most often 15 for flood events and 11 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. Stutsman County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.