Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Bismarck’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bismarck gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hail (35%). Flood insurance has paid 357 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Bismarck’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bismarck faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Bismarck’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bismarck, and Bismarck’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 35%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #22 of 23 in North Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bismarck’s residents live in 17 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Dakota town has lower expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bismarck has more expected damage per building than 95% of North Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $52.6M a year in losses across Bismarck: $31.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bismarck flood? Yes: 357 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bismarck, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms252 claims · $5.5M
- The Winter storm25 claims · $831K
Bismarck is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Burleigh County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bismarck
Disasters that paid out in Bismarck itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bismarck), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$197K to the City of Bismarck for repairs
- 2011Flooding1,076 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$15.4M to the City of Bismarck for repairs298 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding423 households applied for aid$308K aid approved$402K to the City of Bismarck for repairs42 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$199K to the City of Bismarck for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Ground Saturation$64K to the City of Bismarck for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$430K to the City of Bismarck for repairs
Burleigh County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bismarck after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bismarck archive →Bismarck and its neighbors
Bismarck is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Creek Township | C−more damage than 80% | hail | — |
| Gibbs Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hay Creek Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bismarck | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 357 |
| Captain's Landing Township | — | 29 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Bismarck faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Bismarck residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bismarck
Is Bismarck at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bismarck has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hail (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bismarck flood?
Flood insurance has paid 357 claims in Bismarck since 1978, $7.6M in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 26 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (252).
Is Bismarck in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Burleigh County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bismarck?
Bismarck is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bismarck?
By FEMA money that reached Bismarck, Flooding (2011): 1,076 households applied for aid, $3.1M approved, and $15.4M to the City of Bismarck for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 252 paid, $5.5M.
Is Bismarck at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Bismarck’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bismarck.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bismarck’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.