Photo: Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Langdon than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Langdon gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then ice storms (16%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1980.
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 Langdon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Langdon 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Langdon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Langdon, and Langdon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 16%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Langdon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $834K a year in losses across Langdon: $620K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Langdon flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Langdon, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Langdon
Disasters that paid out in Langdon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Langdon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$3K to the City of Langdon for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$16K to the City of Langdon for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$7K to the City of Langdon for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$7K to the City of Langdon for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$93K to the City of Langdon for repairs
Cavalier County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Langdon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Langdon archive →Langdon and its neighbors
Langdon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langdon | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Elgin Township | — | 141 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Manilla Township | — | 34 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 Langdon 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Langdon
Is Langdon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Langdon has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and ice storms (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Langdon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Langdon since 1980, $3K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Langdon 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.
How much is flood insurance in Langdon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Langdon’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Langdon?
By FEMA money that reached Langdon, Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor (1999): $93K to the City of Langdon for repairs.
Is Langdon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Langdon’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Langdon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Langdon’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.