Towner County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Towner County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.0, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Towner County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 2.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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.
Most of Towner County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $291K in expected annual loss and about 0.49 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 23.58 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $94K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Towner 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 federal record bears this out: Towner County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 13 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in July 2023.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Towner County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.49 / yr | $291K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 23.58 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $94K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 19.79 / yr | $77K |
| Drought | Very Low | 11.92 / yr | $23K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.11 / yr | $95K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $72 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $56K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $72K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 25.93 / yr | $12K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $314K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $744 |
| 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
Towner County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (13), Severe Storm (10), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2017 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Towner County?
Towner County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Towner County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $291K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $94K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Towner County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Towner County ranks #47 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Towner County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Towner County since 1969, most often 13 for flood events and 10 for severe storm events. The most recent was Flooding, declared in July 2023.
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. Towner County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.