Billings County Disaster Risk
Billings County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
1th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#52
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
3th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% 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 Billings County, North Dakota
Billings County ranks among safest nationally
Billings County scores just 0.86 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the very lowest-risk counties in the entire nation. This exceptionally low rating reflects minimal exposure across virtually all major natural disaster categories.
North Dakota's safest county
At 0.86, Billings County ranks as the lowest-risk county in North Dakota, far below the state average of 22.19. Residents here experience dramatically less multi-hazard exposure than nearly all other North Dakotans.
Safest in the entire region
Billings County's 0.86 composite score is lower than all surrounding counties, including the already-safe Burke County (1.05) and Bowman County (2.10). This county represents an island of exceptional safety in its subregion.
Wildfire is the only notable concern
Even Billings County's biggest hazard—wildfire at 65.33—is manageable and still far below rates in neighboring counties. All other risks are minimal: tornado (8.52), flood (2.96), and earthquake (1.81) pose little practical threat to residents.
Standard coverage typically sufficient
Billings County's exceptional safety means standard homeowner's insurance is generally adequate for most properties. However, residents should still confirm wildfire coverage (65.33 risk) is included, particularly during fire season months.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Billings County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Billings County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Billings County ranks at the 1th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Being ranked at the 1th percentile nationally is an advantage for Billings County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Billings County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 9th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (3th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Billings County sits at the 65th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Billings County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 9th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Billings County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
At 21.3 points below the North Dakota state average, Billings County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Billings County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Billings County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Billings County?
How does Billings County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Billings County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Billings County a safe place to live?
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.