Ward County anchored by Minot hosts Minot Air Force Base — the only US base operating both nuclear ICBMs and nuclear bombers simultaneously making it the most nuclear-concentrated military installation in America. The Souris River caused catastrophic flooding in 2011 forcing evacuation of 12000 Minot residents and over $700 million in damage. The county faces extreme blizzard risk from the northern Great Plains. The combination of nuclear weapons infrastructure and severe natural disaster risk makes Ward County uniquely complex.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
- Potassium Iodide (KI) Tablets
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 7 / 10 High Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Flooding / Nuclear Weapons Proximity |
| Secondary Hazard | Blizzard |
| FEMA Flood Zone | High |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 8 |
| Last Major Event | Souris River 2011 Flood |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (701) 857-6400 |
| Emergency Shelters | 6 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | US-2 US-83 ND-23 ND-52 |
// County Profile
| County | Ward County ND |
| State | North Dakota (ND) |
| Population | 67 |
| Area | 2,013 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | High |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other North Dakota Counties
// Nearby Infrastructure Risks
Critical infrastructure facilities within or near this area that could affect civilian safety during emergencies, conflict, or infrastructure failures.
Infrastructure risk data is for emergency preparedness awareness. Facility locations are publicly known. Always follow official emergency guidance.