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

Dickey County Disaster Risk

Dickey County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

16th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#23

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

6th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dickey County, North Dakota

Dickey County maintains very low risk overall

With a composite risk score of 15.84, Dickey County ranks as Very Low—substantially below the national average. This favorable standing reflects relatively minimal exposure to major natural disasters across most hazard types.

Well below North Dakota's average risk

Dickey County's score of 15.84 sits comfortably below the state average of 22.19, placing it among North Dakota's lower-risk counties. Residents enjoy one of the state's more stable natural hazard environments for long-term planning and investment.

Consistent safety across south-central region

Dickey County's 15.84 score mirrors nearby Cavalier County (11.83) and Foster County (7.41), showing a broad low-risk zone across northeastern and central North Dakota. This regional consistency makes the area attractive for those prioritizing natural disaster stability.

Wildfire and tornadoes warrant attention

Wildfire risk reaches 55.98 and tornado risk stands at 24.84—your two primary hazards, though both remain manageable. Flood and earthquake exposures are minimal, keeping overall risk low for Dickey County residents.

Basic coverage with wildfire awareness

Standard homeowners insurance suffices for most Dickey County properties given your low composite risk. However, maintaining defensible space around your home and having an evacuation route planned provides extra security against the county's primary wildfire hazard.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dickey County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    56th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    25th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    7th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Dickey County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Dickey County ranks at the 16th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Dickey County residents can take confidence from a 16th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Dickey County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 56th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 25th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (7th percentile), flood (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Dickey County sits at the 56th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Dickey 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 25th percentile nationally means Dickey County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Dickey 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 6.3 points below the North Dakota state average, Dickey County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Dickey 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 Dickey County, ND?
Dickey County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 16th 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 Dickey County?
Dickey County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (56th percentile), tornado (25th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile), flooding (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 56th 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 Dickey County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Dickey County's composite risk percentile is 16th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Dickey County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Dickey County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Dickey County's wildfire risk is at the 56th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Dickey County is at the 6th 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 Dickey County a safe place to live?
Dickey County's composite risk score of 16th 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 56th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.