riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Cass County Disaster Risk

Cass County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

82th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

81th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Cass County

Risk Verdict

Cass County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 82th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Cass County, scoring in the 90th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 81th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (51th), earthquake (24th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Cass County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Cass County is significantly riskier than the average county in North Dakota. Its composite risk score is 60.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Cass County, ND?
Cass County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 82th 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 Cass County?
Cass County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (90th percentile), flooding (81th percentile), wildfire (51th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 90th 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 Cass County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Cass County's composite risk percentile is 82th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Cass County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Cass County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Cass County's tornado risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Cass County is at the 81th 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.
Why is Cass County higher risk than average?
Cass County's composite risk score of 82th percentile is above the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (90th percentile), along with flooding and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Burleigh County

North Dakota

+2.7

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

Ward County

North Dakota

-17.6

Relatively Low

65th percentile

Sioux County

North Dakota

-20.3

Relatively Low

62th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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