Walsh County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Walsh County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 29.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 29th 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.
Risk here concentrates in winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $529K in expected annual loss and about 22.51 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $661K in expected annual loss and about 0.42 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $477K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Walsh 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.
History supports the rating: Walsh County has received 41 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 25 for flood events and 13 for severe storm events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in July 2023.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Walsh County ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Walsh County has received 41 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Flooding in July 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (25), Severe Storm (13), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| January 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2017 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 41 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Walsh County had?
FEMA records 41 federal disaster declarations for Walsh County since 1965, most often 25 for flood events and 13 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. Walsh County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.