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

Eddy County Disaster Risk

Eddy County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#48

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% 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 Eddy County, North Dakota

Eddy County ranks among nation's safest

With an extraordinarily low composite risk score of 1.84, Eddy County ranks as Very Low and sits at the absolute bottom of national disaster risk. This exceptional profile reflects near-minimal exposure to the major natural hazards that affect most U.S. counties.

Exceptional stability across all hazards

Eddy County's score of 1.84 ranks second only to Divide County in North Dakota, sitting far below the state average of 22.19. Residents enjoy one of North Dakota's most secure natural disaster environments.

Safest zone in north-central North Dakota

Eddy County's remarkable 1.84 score compares favorably even to nearby Foster County (7.41), making it the most protected community in its region. This exceptional stability makes the county stand out statewide for natural disaster resilience.

Wildfire is only meaningful hazard exposure

Wildfire risk at 63.01 is Eddy County's sole notable exposure; all other hazards score negligibly. Tornadoes (14.15), earthquakes (1.24), and floods (1.40) present virtually no risk to county residents.

Minimal coverage needed, prevention key

Your exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners insurance is more than adequate for Eddy County properties. Focus preparedness efforts on wildfire season awareness—maintaining vegetation clearance around structures and having an evacuation plan—rather than expensive specialty insurance.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Eddy County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    63th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    14th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    1th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Eddy County

Risk Verdict

Eddy County's overall natural disaster score at the 2th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Being ranked at the 2th percentile nationally is an advantage for Eddy County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Eddy County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 14th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (1th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 63th percentile nationally, Eddy 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 Eddy County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary tornado exposure at the 14th percentile nationally means Eddy County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Eddy County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Eddy County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Eddy County's composite risk score sits 20.3 points below the North Dakota county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Eddy 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 Eddy County, ND?
Eddy County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Eddy County?
Eddy County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (63th percentile), tornado (14th percentile), flooding (1th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 63th 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 Eddy County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Eddy County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Eddy County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Eddy County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Eddy County's wildfire risk is at the 63th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Eddy County is at the 1th 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 Eddy County a safe place to live?
Eddy County's composite risk score of 2th 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 63th 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.