Bismarck, ND
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Bismarck is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Burleigh County, ND. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, hail, and cold wave.
Storm events near Bismarck
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Bismarck's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Bismarck itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Burleigh County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Bismarck along with the rest of the county, not a Bismarck-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 84.1 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 77.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 20.1 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 53 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 83 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 24.3 | Very Low |
| Hail | 99.1 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 95.5 | Very High |
| Landslide | 31.1 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 51.8 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 65 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 99.6 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Burleigh County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Burleigh County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Bismarck, ND at risk of?
Bismarck is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Burleigh County, where Bismarck is located, are winter weather, hail, and cold wave.
What is Bismarck's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Burleigh County, where Bismarck is located, scoring 99.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Bismarck a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Bismarck carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Burleigh County.
Has Bismarck had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 10 tornado, 140 hail, 7 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Bismarck since 2016.