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State Emergency Guide

North Dakota Emergency Preparedness

Official emergency management contacts, disaster risks, kit checklists, and action plans for North Dakota residents.

Tornadoes Flooding Winter Storms
4
FEMA Region
3
Active Risks
Severe Winter Storm (2019)
Latest Declaration

State Emergency Management Agency

North Dakota Department of Emergency Services

Sign up for your county's emergency alert system for real-time warnings. FEMA Region 4 also provides free CERT training and Ready.gov resources.

North Dakota Risk Profile

Tornadoes

View full preparedness guide →
Flooding

View full preparedness guide →
Winter Storms

View full preparedness guide →

Emergency Kit Checklist

Minimum 72-hour supply. For North Dakota, plan for 7 days due to tornadoes risk.

Water

  • ✓ 1 gallon per person per day (7-day supply)
  • ✓ Water purification tablets
  • ✓ Portable water filter (e.g., Sawyer, LifeStraw)
  • ✓ Collapsible water containers

Food

  • ✓ 7-day supply of non-perishables
  • ✓ Manual can opener
  • ✓ Portable camp stove + fuel
  • ✓ High-calorie energy bars

Communication

  • ✓ Battery-powered NOAA weather radio
  • ✓ Backup phone charger / power bank
  • ✓ Printed emergency contact list
  • ✓ Whistle + signal mirror

North Dakota-Specific Extras

  • ✓ Battery-powered NOAA weather radio
  • ✓ Sturdy shoes for post-storm debris
  • ✓ Heavy gloves for cleanup
  • ✓ Whistle to signal for help
Not sure how much to store? Use our Emergency Kit Estimator or Water Storage Calculator for exact quantities.

Make Your Emergency Plan

A physical kit is only half the equation. Every household needs a written plan that everyone knows.

1

Identify two meeting places

One near home (e.g., a neighbor's driveway) and one outside your neighborhood if you can't return home.

2

Designate an out-of-state contact

It's often easier to reach someone across the country during a local emergency. Everyone calls the same number.

3

Know your shelter-in-place option

Find a basement or interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. A bathroom or closet on the lowest level can be a life-saver.

4

Sign up for county emergency alerts

The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services coordinates alerts. Visit your county's emergency management website to register for text and email warnings.

5

Practice once a year

Do a full drill — where do you go, what do you grab, how do you communicate? Muscle memory matters in a real emergency.

Critical Documents to Protect

Photo IDs and passports
Insurance policies (home, health, auto)
Birth certificates and Social Security cards
Medical records and prescription list
Bank account and financial records
Property deeds and vehicle titles
Emergency contacts and utility account numbers
Will, power of attorney, and legal documents

Store originals in a fireproof, waterproof box. Keep digital copies in a secure cloud service. Keep photocopies in your go-bag.

Resources & Tools

Preparedness Guides

Interactive Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the biggest natural disaster risks in North Dakota?
North Dakota faces significant risks from tornadoes, flooding, winter storms. Residents should have emergency plans specifically addressing these hazards.
Which FEMA region is North Dakota in?
North Dakota is part of FEMA Region 4. Your regional FEMA office coordinates disaster response and provides preparedness resources specific to your area.
What emergency kit should North Dakota residents have?
Every North Dakota household should have at minimum a 72-hour emergency kit including water (1 gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, medications, and important documents. Given North Dakota's risk of tornadoes, consider adding battery-powered noaa weather radio.
What is North Dakota's emergency management agency?
The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services is the state agency responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness and disaster response in North Dakota.
Has North Dakota had recent FEMA disaster declarations?
Yes. Recent FEMA disaster declarations in North Dakota include Severe Winter Storm (2019) and Flood (2018). These declarations unlocked federal assistance for affected residents.