Burleigh County
North Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Burleigh County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.1, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $72M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 19.42 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | High | 2.46 / yr | $15M |
| Cold Wave | High | 17.11 / yr | $20M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.98 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $827K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.04 / yr | $23M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.52 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.95 / yr | $552K |
| Lightning | Low | 30.16 / yr | $320K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $435 |
| Drought | Very Low | 14.93 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| 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 Burleigh County?
Burleigh County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 85.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Burleigh County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $3M EAL), Hail (High, $15M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $20M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Burleigh County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Burleigh County ranks #1 of 53 North Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Burleigh County's $72M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.