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

Bowman County Disaster Risk

Bowman County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#46

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 57% 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 8% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bowman County, North Dakota

Bowman County ranks exceptionally safe

Bowman County scores just 2.10 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the nation's lowest-risk counties overall. This rating indicates minimal natural disaster exposure across most major hazard categories.

Among North Dakota's safest counties

At 2.10, Bowman County ranks near the very bottom of North Dakota's disaster risk profile, well below the state average of 22.19. Residents enjoy substantially less multi-hazard exposure than most North Dakotans.

Safest in the western subregion

Bowman County's 2.10 composite score is lower than nearby Burke County (1.05) and ranks among the safest counties statewide. This western county benefits from a comparatively protected natural disaster profile.

Wildfire is the lone concern

Wildfire (56.71) is Bowman County's most significant hazard, though still below state averages for many counties. Tornado (11.51) and earthquake (7.73) risks remain low, while flood risk is negligible at 2.45.

Standard insurance generally adequate

Bowman County's low overall risk means standard homeowner's insurance typically provides sufficient protection for most properties. Confirm wildfire coverage is included in your policy given the 56.71 wildfire risk during active fire season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bowman County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    12th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    8th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Bowman County

Risk Verdict

Bowman County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 2th percentile nationally. The 2th percentile national ranking is one lens; Bowman County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Bowman County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 12th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (8th percentile), flood (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 57th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Bowman County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. The county's tornado exposure at the 12th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Bowman County residents.

Regional Context

Bowman County falls 20.1 points below North Dakota's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Bowman 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 Bowman County, ND?
Bowman County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Bowman County?
Bowman County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (12th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile), flooding (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 57th 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 Bowman County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Bowman County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Bowman County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Bowman County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Bowman County's wildfire risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Bowman 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 Bowman County a safe place to live?
Bowman County's composite risk score of 2th 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 57th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Towner County

North Dakota

-0.1

Very Low

2th percentile

Eddy County

North Dakota

-0.3

Very Low

2th percentile

Oliver County

North Dakota

-0.4

Very Low

2th 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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