Laurens Polygonal Hog House · Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in North Eagle Butte than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Eagle Butte gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hail (12%). 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 North Eagle Butte 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
Ice storms
Wildfire
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 North Eagle Butte’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Eagle Butte, and North Eagle Butte’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Eagle Butte’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across North Eagle Butte: $167K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Eagle Butte flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in North Eagle Butte. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
The storms North Eagle Butte remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Dewey County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Eagle Butte itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Dewey County has had 13 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.
North Eagle Butte and its neighbors
North Eagle Butte has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Eagle Butte | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Eagle Butte | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 North Eagle Butte 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 North Eagle Butte
Is North Eagle Butte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Eagle Butte has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hail (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is North Eagle Butte 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 North Eagle Butte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Eagle Butte’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is North Eagle Butte at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and North Eagle Butte’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Eagle Butte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Eagle Butte’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.