Williston, ND
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Williston is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Williams County, ND. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, cold wave, and ice storm.
Storm events near Williston
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Williston's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Williston 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 Williams County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Williston along with the rest of the county, not a Williston-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 77.4 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 42.9 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 18.2 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 20.8 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 53.1 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 90.6 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 40.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 72.8 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 86.3 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 36.6 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 41 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 41.1 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 97.2 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Williams County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Williams County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Williston, ND at risk of?
Williston 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 Williams County, where Williston is located, are winter weather, cold wave, and ice storm.
What is Williston's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Williams County, where Williston is located, scoring 97.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Williston a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Williston carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Williams County.
Has Williston had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 2 tornado, 61 hail, 2 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Williston since 2016.