Natural Disasters in North Dakota: History & Risk Data
29,827 recorded disaster events across 375 ZIP codes.
State Statistics
Event Timeline
Hazard Breakdown
Most Affected ZIP Codes in North Dakota
📊 North Dakota Disaster Profile
North Dakota has experienced 29,827 documented natural disaster events across its 375 ZIP codes. The cumulative documented property damage stands at $58B. A total of 388 fatalities have been attributed to natural disasters in the state.
⚠️ Hazard Distribution
Hailstorms lead North Dakota's disaster profile with 19,668 events (66%), causing $2.3B in property damage. Other significant hazards include severe wind events (3,243 events, $1.4B in damages), blizzards (2,145 events, $3.3B in damages), and floods (2,130 events, $50.6B in damages). North Dakota has no recorded hurricanes in the dataset.
📍 Geographic Impact
The most disaster-affected areas in North Dakota include ZIP 58554 (341 events, $446.4M in damages), ZIP 58504 (215 events, $408.2M in damages), and ZIP 58501 (202 events, $406.6M in damages).
📈 Trends Over Time
Disaster frequency in North Dakota has increased markedly over time. The average annual event count in recent decades is roughly 637% higher than in earlier periods of the record. The year 1997 stands out as particularly active, with 1,448 events recorded — likely driven by a major weather system or disaster season.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — North Dakota
What natural disasters occur in North Dakota?
North Dakota has experienced 29,827 documented natural disaster events. The hazard types recorded include hailstorms (19,668), severe wind events (3,243), blizzards (2,145), floods (2,130), tornadoes (1,945), wildfires (409), extreme cold events (280), earthquakes (5), and extreme heat events (2). The most common hazard is hailstorms, accounting for 66% of all events.
What are the most disaster-prone areas in North Dakota?
Based on historical records, the most disaster-affected ZIP codes in North Dakota are ZIP 58554 (341 events), ZIP 58504 (215 events), ZIP 58501 (202 events), ZIP 58563 (197 events), and ZIP 58639 (189 events). These areas have the highest concentration of recorded natural disaster events in the state.
How much damage have natural disasters caused in North Dakota?
Natural disasters have caused a documented $58B in property damage across North Dakota. This total is based on records from FEMA, NOAA, and USGS, covering events from the 1950s onward. The actual figure is likely higher, as not all events have complete damage records.
About This Data
State-level data aggregated from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →