Natural Disaster Risk in Ray

Natural Hazard Profile: Ray, North Dakota

Ray is a small community of about 1,101 in Williams 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 Ray.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Ray carries an overall risk score of 5.7/10, 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 cold wave and ice storm.

Ray'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 Williams County, the highest-scoring are winter, cold wave, and ice storm. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a moderate risk rating, Ray 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.