Ransom County
North Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Ransom County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.2, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $355K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 23.21 / yr | $146K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 17.11 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 3.71 / yr | $513K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $96K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.33 / yr | $622K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.49 / yr | $394K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.83 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.36 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.84 / yr | $34K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 30.84 / yr | $13K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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 Ransom County?
Ransom County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ransom County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $355K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $146K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ransom County compare to other North Dakota counties?
Ransom County ranks #26 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. Ransom County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.