Natural Disaster Risk in Surrey

Natural Hazard Profile: Surrey, North Dakota

Surrey is a small community of about 1,816 in Ward 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 Surrey.

FEMA rates Surrey's composite natural disaster risk at 6.0 out of 10 — high risk. Severe winter storms top the local risk profile, bringing blizzard conditions, ice storms, and extreme cold that pose health risks and cause extensive property and infrastructure damage. Residents should also account for cold wave and ice storm risk in their preparedness planning.

Surrey'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 Ward 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.

Surrey's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.