Grand Forks, ND
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Grand Forks is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Grand Forks County, ND. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, ice storm, and hail.
Storm events near Grand Forks
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Grand Forks's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Grand Forks along with the rest of the county, not a Grand Forks-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 55.3 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 61.7 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 13 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 37.3 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 60.7 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 74 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 25.9 | Very Low |
| Hail | 90.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 91.8 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 34.2 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 35.5 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 78.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 97.9 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Grand Forks County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Grand Forks County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Grand Forks, ND at risk of?
Grand Forks is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Grand Forks County, where Grand Forks is located, are winter weather, ice storm, and hail.
What is Grand Forks's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Grand Forks County, where Grand Forks is located, scoring 97.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Grand Forks a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Grand Forks carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Grand Forks County.
Has Grand Forks had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 29 tornado, 126 hail, 35 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Grand Forks since 2016.