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

Grant County Disaster Risk

Grant County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#24

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grant County, North Dakota

Grant County Ranks Very Low Nationally

Grant County's composite risk score of 14.79 places it well below the national average with a Very Low rating. The county enjoys relatively strong protection from major natural disasters compared to most U.S. counties.

Among North Dakota's Safest Counties

Grant County scores 14.79, ranking it among the lowest-risk counties in North Dakota, well below the state average of 22.19. The county's very low rating reflects its geographic advantages across most disaster types.

Low Risk Shared With Golden Valley

Grant County's 14.79 score matches the risk profile of neighboring Golden Valley County, making them the safest pair in the region. Both stand in sharp contrast to Grand Forks County's 57.67 score to the east.

Wildfire Is Grant's Standout Concern

Wildfire risk dominates Grant County's profile at 65.36, making it the county's most significant natural disaster exposure. Tornado risk (17.37) and flood risk (6.68) remain substantially lower.

Prioritize Wildfire Protection Now

Grant County homeowners should ensure wildfire coverage is explicitly included and adequate in their insurance policies, given the county's elevated exposure. Standard homeowners insurance may not fully protect against landscape fire damage to structures and property.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grant County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    17th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    7th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Grant County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Grant County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 15th percentile. At the 15th percentile, Grant County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Grant County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 17th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (7th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 65th percentile nationally for wildfire, Grant 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 17th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Grant County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Grant County is 7.4 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 Grant 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 Grant County, ND?
Grant County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Grant County?
Grant County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (65th percentile), tornado (17th percentile), flooding (7th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 65th 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 Grant County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Grant County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Grant County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Grant County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Grant County's wildfire risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Grant County is at the 7th 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 Grant County a safe place to live?
Grant County's composite risk score of 15th 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 65th 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.