riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Adams County Disaster Risk

Adams County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Adams County, North Dakota

Adams County's low composite risk

Adams County scores 4.52 on the composite risk scale, placing it well below the national average and marking it as Very Low risk overall. This means residents face significantly fewer natural disaster threats than the typical American county, though local hazards still warrant attention.

Among North Dakota's safest counties

Adams County ranks among the lowest-risk counties statewide, with a composite score of 4.52 compared to North Dakota's state average of 22.19. Residents here experience substantially less multi-hazard exposure than most of their neighbors across the state.

Safer than surrounding counties

Adams County's 4.52 composite risk is substantially lower than nearby Billings County (0.86) and Burke County (1.05), and far below Benson County (24.27) to the east. The county's relative safety distinguishes it as one of the most secure areas in this region.

Wildfires pose the main concern

Wildfire risk dominates Adams County's hazard profile at 48.03, making it the primary natural disaster threat despite the county's overall low composite risk. Tornado risk (12.31) and earthquake risk (4.74) remain minimal, while flood risk is minimal at 2.48.

Prepare for wildfire season

While Adams County remains very safe overall, wildfire coverage should be part of your homeowner's insurance strategy given the 48.03 wildfire risk score. Review your policy's coverage limits and consider defensible space around your property during fire season.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Adams County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    48th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    12th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    5th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Adams County

Risk Verdict

Adams County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 5th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Adams County residents can take confidence from a 5th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Adams County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 48th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 12th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (5th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Adams County's primary hazard at the 48th percentile nationally. For Adams County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 12th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Adams County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the North Dakota county average, Adams County's composite score runs 17.7 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Adams County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Adams County, ND?
Adams County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Adams County?
Adams County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (48th percentile), tornado (12th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 48th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Adams County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Adams County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Adams County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Adams County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Adams County's wildfire risk is at the 48th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Adams County is at the 2th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Adams County a safe place to live?
Adams County's composite risk score of 5th percentile is below the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 48th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Sheridan County

North Dakota

+0.5

Very Low

5th percentile

Griggs County

North Dakota

+0.6

Very Low

5th percentile

Pierce County

North Dakota

-1.3

Very Low

3th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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