Cass County
North Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 82th
Cass County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.4, 82th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $82M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 24.26 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | Very High | 2.54 / yr | $10M |
| Hail | High | 4.19 / yr | $7M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.43 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.24 / yr | $12M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 18.58 / yr | $10M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.18 / yr | $34M |
| Lightning | Medium | 29.59 / yr | $640K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.63 / yr | $868K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $83K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $699 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $69K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.57 / yr | $7K |
| 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 Cass County?
Cass County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 82th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cass County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $4M EAL), Strong Wind (Very High, $10M EAL), Hail (High, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cass County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Cass County ranks #2 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. Cass County's $82M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.