Wells County, North Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ND
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Wells County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 8.6, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Wells County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 8.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $192K in expected annual loss and about 21.63 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 20.63 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $372K in expected annual loss and about 2.48 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wells County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Wells County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 14 for flood events and 11 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds (severe storm), declared in September 2025.
Among 53 North Dakota counties, Wells County ranks #35 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 21.63 / yr | $192K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 20.63 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 2.48 / yr | $372K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.70 / yr | $131K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Drought | Low | 14.11 / yr | $31K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $183 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.52 / yr | $295K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.27 / yr | $139K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.32 / yr | $15K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $691K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 28.18 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Wells County has received 29 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (14), Severe Storm (11), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| February 2023 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| October 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2020 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 29 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wells County?
Wells County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 8.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wells County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $192K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Low, $372K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wells County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Wells County ranks #35 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wells County had?
FEMA records 29 federal disaster declarations for Wells County since 1969, most often 14 for flood events and 11 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds, declared in September 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. Wells County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.