Ward County
North Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Ward County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.8, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 20.16 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | High | 21.47 / yr | $18M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.45 / yr | $944K |
| Hail | Medium | 1.87 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $578K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.34 / yr | $18K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.91 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $8M |
| Drought | Low | 21.15 / yr | $53K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $202K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 27.29 / yr | $32K |
| 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 Ward County?
Ward County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ward County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $3M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $18M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $944K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ward County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Ward County ranks #3 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Ward County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.