Photo: Andrew Filer from Seattle (ex-Minneapolis) · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Williston than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williston gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #4 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Williston 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
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 Williston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Williston, and Williston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A #4 of 23 in North Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Williston’s residents live in 6 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, Williston has less expected damage per building than 86% of North Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.2M a year in losses across Williston: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Williston flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Williston. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Williston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Williams County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Williston
Disasters that paid out in Williston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Williston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Wildfires and Straight-line Winds$10K to the City of Williston for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$183K to the City of Williston for repairs
- 2021Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$1.3M to the City of Williston for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm$59K to the City of Williston for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2004Snow$12K to the City of Williston for repairs
Williams County has had 17 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 Williston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Williston archive →Williston and its neighbors
Williston is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Ridge Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Williston | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Williston Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Stony Creek Township | — | 727 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mont Township | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Pherrin Township | — | 572 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 Williston 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Williston
Is Williston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williston has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #4 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Williston 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 Williams County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Williston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Williston’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 Williston?
By FEMA money that reached Williston, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2021): $1.3M to the City of Williston for repairs.
Is Williston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Williston’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Williston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Williston’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.