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

Divide County Disaster Risk

Divide County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#40

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 59% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Divide County, North Dakota

Divide County boasts lowest state risk level

With a composite risk score of just 5.79, Divide County ranks as Very Low and sits dramatically below the national average. This exceptional profile places it among the safest counties in the nation for natural disaster exposure.

North Dakota's lowest composite risk score

Divide County's 5.79 score represents the minimum risk level across all North Dakota counties—far below the state average of 22.19. Residents enjoy extraordinary protection from most major natural hazards statewide.

Safest county in the northern region

Divide County's 5.79 score edges out even Foster County (7.41) and Eddy County (1.84 overall but higher in wildfire), making it the most stable area in northwestern North Dakota. This unmatched regional safety appeals strongly to risk-averse families and businesses.

Wildfire poses mild concern only

Wildfire risk at 59.10 is Divide County's only notable exposure, though all other hazards score remarkably low. Tornadoes (19.97), earthquakes (12.88), and floods (6.08) all pose minimal threats, creating one of the nation's most stable environments.

Minimal insurance requirements needed

Divide County's exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners insurance provides ample protection for most properties. Focus your preparedness efforts on wildfire awareness—clear brush from your home and maintain evacuation knowledge—rather than extensive specialty coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Divide County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    59th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    20th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    13th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Divide County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Divide County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 6th percentile. Residents of Divide County can use the 6th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Divide County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 59th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 20th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (13th percentile), flood (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 59th percentile nationally for wildfire, Divide 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 20th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. 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 Divide County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Divide County is 16.4 composite risk points below the North Dakota state mean, meaning most other North Dakota counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Divide 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 Divide County, ND?
Divide County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th 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 Divide County?
Divide County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (59th percentile), tornado (20th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), flooding (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 59th 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 Divide County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Divide County's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Divide County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Divide County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Divide County's wildfire risk is at the 59th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Divide 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 Divide County a safe place to live?
Divide County's composite risk score of 6th 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 59th 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.