All areas of the state face high winds at some point during the year. However, Grand Forks County, Emmons County, and especially Cass County face the greatest risks of high winds. Neighboring counties in the east and central part of the state also face moderate risk. Use FEMA’s risk map to view the risk level in your area: https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/map
High Winds
High winds might not seem as dramatic as other disasters, but they can cause just as much damage. Shingles fly off roofs, trees fall onto cars and homes, and power lines get ripped down. What’s left is often a dangerous mess—damaged buildings, impassable roads, and long power outages. For farmers and rural residents, windstorms can wipe out crops or damage equipment and barns. Even small wind events can leave a big impact, especially when recovery resources are hard to find.
The National Weather Service defines high winds as sustained wind speeds of 40 mph or greater lasting for 1 hour or longer, or winds of 58 mph or greater for any duration.
Winds are naturally occurring and happen because of a change in air pressure. Air pressure changes as the Earth rotates. The rate of change in air pressure determines the strength of the wind. Higher wind speeds occur when there is a greater change in air pressure.
Be Prepared
- In addition to knowing your community’s resources for disaster response, you should be aware of any safe locations the community has designated for shelter in case you’re not home when a disaster hits. Some communities may concentrate their resources around community-based buildings such as churches, or safety may best be sought in durable brick or concrete buildings that can withstand high levels of water and wind. Take time to view our county resources tab and locate the resources available in your community.
- It’s also important to identify a route from your house, through your neighborhood, to a safer location within your community or in another community. Take time to view a map of your neighborhood and determine where the streets near your home lead to.
- Cut back trees and branches that could blow into windows.
- Install storm windows and storm doors to protect your exterior doors and windows.
- Have your roof inspected every 10 years to ensure it’s strength.
- Remove loose rock debris from your landscaping.
- Ensure your home’s foundation is sturdy. If you live in a manufactured home, ensure it’s secured to a foundation and can’t be moved.
- If you know high winds are likely to occur, secure outdoor item such as patio furniture, recreation equipment, or law care equipment.
- Keep a battery powered radio, wireless hotspot, and phone chargers in a central location so you can stay connected and informed about changing weather conditions.
- Identify a room in your home that doesn’t have windows or doors leading outside where you can shelter if high winds occur.
- Once you are safe, contact loved ones that may be in the affected area to ensure they are safe.
- Create a disaster kit that can be moved quickly if evacuation is necessary.
- Ensure everyone in your family or household is aware of the disaster plan.
Loss and Need
Legal documents
A disaster victim may have lost their birth certificate, drivers license or other state ID, social security card, marriage license, name change documents, titles and deeds to property, and other legal documents in the disaster. Loss of these documents may make accessing public benefits and disaster resources more difficult.
Housing
- Housing can be partially or completely destroyed in a disaster. Renters whose housing has become unlivable may need assistance canceling a lease, finding replacement housing, obtaining rental assistance, transferring existing housing assistance to other housing authorities, or even getting timely repairs from their landlord.
- Disaster victims who own their home may need help filing insurance claims, appealing insurance denials or appraisals, applying for public repair assistance, preventing foreclosure, or recovering from a general contractor who isn’t complying with the repair contract.
- Any disaster victim who needs to access new housing because their residence was completely destroyed in a disaster may also face housing discrimination. If you feel you’ve experienced housing discrimination, please contact High Plains Fair Housing Center (hyperlink: https://www.highplainsfhc.org/).
Loved ones
If you’ve lost a loved one in a disaster, there are many legal aspects to handling their estate. The person may or may not have a will or other estate plan. They may have new assets not included in their current estate plan and they may have a business or other interests whose beneficiaries are uncertain.
Valuable property
Many households own valuable property such as cars, recreational vehicles, jewelry, antiques, and family heirlooms. These items can be lost or destroyed in a disaster and that can carry a monetary and emotional loss. Some of these items may be insured or may have liens on them.
Money
There may be public resources available to help with finding a job or replacing income with public benefits. Disaster victims may need help filing for unemployment, appealing wrongful terminations, or handling bank accounts of deceased household members.
Community
Disaster victims may experience job loss, education loss, housing loss, loss of friends, or cancellation of important community programs and resources. Replacing these community resources and social needs is essential to recovering from a disaster
Legal Services of North Dakota’s Disaster Legal Services Program can assist North Dakota residents with most of their legal needs after a disaster.
-
- Access to public benefits
- Insurance – through a volunteer attorney
- Bankruptcies
- Document replacement
- Domestic violence
- Family law and custody issues
- Access to housing or housing repair
- The death of a loved one and their estate
- Consumer issues such as disaster relief scams or contractor scams
Additional Resources
Resources by County
Get help after a disaster.
Disaster Kit
Grab a disaster kit to be prepared.
Become a Volunteer
Opportunities and training available.
Additional Resources
Visit Legal Aid Disaster Center (LADRC)