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

Burke County Disaster Risk

Burke County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#51

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 47% 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 1% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Burke County, North Dakota

Burke County is among safest nationwide

Burke County scores just 1.05 on the composite risk scale, making it one of the lowest-risk counties in the entire United States. This exceptional rating reflects minimal exposure across virtually all major natural disaster categories.

North Dakota's second-safest county

At 1.05, Burke County ranks second-lowest in North Dakota's risk profile, far below the state average of 22.19. Residents experience dramatically reduced multi-hazard exposure compared to nearly all other North Dakotans.

Safest in the entire region

Burke County's 1.05 score is lower than all surrounding counties except Billings County (0.86), and far below moderately-riskier areas like Benson County (24.27). This county represents one of the nation's safest places.

Wildfire poses minimal concern

Even Burke County's highest hazard—wildfire at 46.85—is well-controlled compared to state averages. Tornado (9.48), flood (1.69), and earthquake (0.89) risks are all negligible.

Basic homeowner's insurance sufficient

Burke County's exceptionally low risk profile means standard homeowner's insurance typically provides comprehensive protection for most properties. Focus on ensuring your policy is current and covers your home's replacement cost.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Burke County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    47th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    9th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    2th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Burke County

Risk Verdict

Burke County's overall natural disaster score at the 1th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Even at the 1th percentile, Burke County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Burke County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 47th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 9th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (2th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 47th percentile nationally, Burke County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Burke County households to have on hand before fire season. 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. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Burke County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Burke County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Burke County's composite risk score sits 21.1 points below the North Dakota county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Burke 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 Burke County, ND?
Burke County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Burke County?
Burke County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (47th percentile), tornado (9th percentile), flooding (2th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 47th 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 Burke County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Burke County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Burke County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Burke County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Burke County's wildfire risk is at the 47th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Burke 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 Burke County a safe place to live?
Burke County's composite risk score of 1th 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 47th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Billings County

North Dakota

-0.2

Very Low

1th percentile

Slope County

North Dakota

-0.4

Very Low

1th percentile

Renville County

North Dakota

+0.5

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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