Walsh County
North Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Walsh County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.0, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 22.51 / yr | $529K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.42 / yr | $661K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $477K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.41 / yr | $947K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 22.84 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.84 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.91 / yr | $485K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.66 / yr | $29K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $342 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 26.15 / yr | $59K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.06 / yr | $35K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Walsh County?
Walsh County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 29.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Walsh County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $529K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $661K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $477K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Walsh County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Walsh County ranks #16 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Walsh County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.