Benson County Disaster Risk
Benson County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
24th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#18
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
7th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 2% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Benson County, North Dakota
Benson County shows mixed risk profile
Benson County scores 24.27 on the composite risk scale, slightly above the national average but rated Very Low overall. This reflects a specific concentration of wildfire exposure balanced against lower risks in other hazard categories.
Slightly above North Dakota average
At 24.27, Benson County's composite risk sits just above North Dakota's state average of 22.19, placing it in the middle tier of the state's risk profile. Residents experience roughly typical multi-hazard exposure compared to other North Dakota counties.
Moderate risk among nearby counties
Benson County's 24.27 score falls between safer neighbors like Billings County (0.86) to the south and slightly riskier areas like Bottineau County (18.67) to the west. It represents a middle-ground risk profile for this portion of the state.
Wildfire drives the risk equation
Wildfire risk (80.09) dramatically outpaces other hazards in Benson County, making it the primary disaster concern by a wide margin. Tornado (20.93) and flood (6.71) risks are considerably lower, with earthquake risk minimal at 2.32.
Prioritize wildfire protection now
Benson County's exceptionally high wildfire risk (80.09) should drive your insurance and home-hardening decisions. Ensure your policy covers wildfire damage and create defensible space around your home, especially given your county's elevated exposure to fire season threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Benson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Benson County
Risk Verdict
At the 24th percentile nationally, Benson County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A 24th percentile score positions Benson County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Benson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 21th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (7th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Benson County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Benson County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 21th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Benson County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.
Regional Context
The county's composite score diverges by only 2.1 points from the North Dakota average, making Benson County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Benson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Benson County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Benson County?
How does Benson County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Benson County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Benson County higher risk than average?
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.