Natural Disaster Risk in Grand Forks
North Dakota
Risk Summary for Grand Forks
Grand Forks scores 5.8/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Winter Weather.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks is a city of approximately 42,373 residents in Grand Forks County, in the northern tier of the continental United States. The area experiences extremely cold winters and short, warm summers with prairie wind exposure, with severe blizzards and spring flooding shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Grand Forks.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Grand Forks carries an overall risk score of 5.8/10, placing it in the moderate category. The area faces significant winter hazard exposure, with nor'easters, ice storms, or blizzards regularly challenging transportation networks and power infrastructure. The area also faces notable exposure to ice storm and hail.
Grand Forks's risk score, slightly above the 4.7/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Grand Forks County, the highest-scoring are winter, ice storm, and hail. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
With a moderate risk rating, Grand Forks residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for winter is recommended.
What this means for Grand Forks: Winter Weather preparedness
- Insulate pipes and keep a backup heat source to prevent freezing during extended cold.
- Maintain an emergency kit in your vehicle and home for snow- or ice-related power outages.
- Clear roof snow loads when heavy to prevent structural strain and ice dams.
Local Factors for Grand Forks
These city-level factors differentiate Grand Forks from other communities in Grand Forks County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
42,373
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Northern Continental
Latitude 47.9°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 6.1/10
Coordinates
47.8694° N, 97.1401° W
Grand Forks County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Grand Forks
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Grand Forks
Other cities in North Dakota
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.