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

Bottineau County Disaster Risk

Bottineau County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#21

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

12th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bottineau County, North Dakota

Bottineau County shows very low risk

Bottineau County scores 18.67 on the composite risk scale, slightly below the national average and rated Very Low overall. This reflects broadly modest hazard exposure across the county, though specific risks warrant targeted attention.

Below North Dakota average risk

At 18.67, Bottineau County falls below North Dakota's state average of 22.19, placing it in the safer half of the state's risk profile. Residents experience less compound disaster exposure than a typical North Dakota county.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Bottineau County's 18.67 score sits below nearby Benson County (24.27) and well above the safest counties like Burke (1.05) and Billings (0.86). It occupies a relatively favorable position in its regional risk landscape.

Wildfire and tornado threats

Wildfire (84.99) and tornado (25.95) represent Bottineau County's primary hazards, with wildfire being exceptionally elevated compared to state averages. Flood risk is moderate at 11.64, while earthquake risk (12.44) remains relatively minor.

Wildfire coverage is critical

Bottineau County's wildfire risk (84.99) is among the highest in the state and should be your top insurance priority. Ensure your homeowner's policy includes wildfire coverage and maintain 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 Bottineau County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    26th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    12th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Bottineau County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Bottineau County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 19th percentile. At the 19th percentile nationally, Bottineau County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Bottineau County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 26th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (12th percentile), flood (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 85th percentile nationally for wildfire, Bottineau County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary tornado exposure at the 26th percentile nationally means Bottineau County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Bottineau County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Bottineau County's composite risk score is within 3.5 points of the North Dakota county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Bottineau 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 Bottineau County, ND?
Bottineau County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Bottineau County?
Bottineau County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (85th percentile), tornado (26th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile), flooding (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 85th 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 Bottineau County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Bottineau County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Bottineau County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Bottineau County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Bottineau County's wildfire risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bottineau County is at the 12th 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 Bottineau County a safe place to live?
Bottineau County's composite risk score of 19th 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 85th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Ramsey County

North Dakota

-0.3

Very Low

18th percentile

Pembina County

North Dakota

+2.3

Very Low

21th percentile

Mountrail County

North Dakota

+2.7

Very Low

21th 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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