Benson County
North Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Benson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.3, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 20.74 / yr | $225K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 23.00 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.59 / yr | $296K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $251K |
| Hail | Low | 2.62 / yr | $335K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.24 / yr | $581K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $714 |
| Drought | Low | 13.28 / yr | $22K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.62 / yr | $157K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 26.58 / yr | $16K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.18 / yr | $584K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| 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 Benson County?
Benson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $225K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $296K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benson County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Benson County ranks #18 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. Benson County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.