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

Dunn County Disaster Risk

Dunn County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#32

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

10th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dunn County, North Dakota

Dunn County presents very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 10.78, Dunn County ranks as Very Low—well below the national average. This favorable profile reflects minimal exposure to the major natural hazards that affect many U.S. counties.

Safe county by North Dakota standards

Dunn County's score of 10.78 sits substantially below the state average of 22.19, placing it among North Dakota's safest communities. The county's stable hazard profile offers residents reliable long-term security from most natural disasters.

Lower risk than surrounding northwestern counties

Dunn County's 10.78 score outperforms nearby Emmons County (44.27) significantly, placing it in a lower-risk pocket of northwestern North Dakota. This relative advantage makes the county particularly attractive for those seeking stability in the region.

Wildfire is your principal hazard exposure

Wildfire risk reaches 83.87—notably high and Dunn County's primary concern, though tornadoes (24.05) and floods (10.11) remain minor threats. The elevated wildfire score reflects the county's geographical characteristics in western North Dakota's grasslands.

Prioritize wildfire preparedness today

Standard homeowners insurance meets most property needs given your overall low risk, but wildfire readiness is essential given your 83.87 wildfire score. Create defensible space around your home, trim tree branches near structures, and maintain a current evacuation plan for fire season.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dunn County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    24th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    10th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Dunn County

Risk Verdict

Dunn County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 11th percentile nationally. A 11th percentile score positions Dunn County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Dunn County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 24th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (10th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 84th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Dunn 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 24th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Dunn County residents.

Regional Context

Dunn County falls 11.4 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 Dunn 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 Dunn County, ND?
Dunn County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Dunn County?
Dunn County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (84th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), flooding (10th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 84th 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 Dunn County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Dunn County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Dunn County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Dunn County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Dunn County's wildfire risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Dunn County is at the 10th 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 Dunn County a safe place to live?
Dunn County's composite risk score of 11th 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 84th 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.