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

Griggs County Disaster Risk

Griggs County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#41

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% 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 Griggs County, North Dakota

Griggs County: North Dakota's Safest

Griggs County posts the lowest composite risk score in the state at just 5.12, earning a Very Low rating far below the national average. The county enjoys exceptional protection from major natural disaster hazards.

The State's Most Protected County

Griggs County ranks as North Dakota's lowest-risk county with a composite score of 5.12, less than one-quarter of the state average of 22.19. Its very low rating reflects minimal exposure across flood, earthquake, and tornado hazards.

Safest in Its Regional Cluster

Griggs County's 5.12 score makes it notably safer than nearby LaMoure (10.94) and significantly safer than Grand Forks (57.67) to the northeast. The county's protection from major hazards is exceptional even by North Dakota standards.

Wildfire Is Only Meaningful Hazard

Wildfire risk at 49.11 is the only notable hazard in Griggs County, while flood (1.65), tornado (16.29), and earthquake (0.64) risks remain minimal. The county's overall safety reflects its geographic and climatic advantages.

Basic Coverage With Wildfire Focus

Griggs County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance as a foundation, but should verify wildfire coverage is included. The county's low overall risk means you can allocate resources efficiently to address the primary hazard.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Griggs County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    49th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    16th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    2th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Griggs County

Risk Verdict

Griggs County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 5th percentile nationally. Griggs County's 5th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Griggs County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 49th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 16th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (2th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 49th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Griggs 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 16th percentile nationally means Griggs County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Griggs County residents.

Regional Context

Griggs County falls 17.1 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 Griggs 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 Griggs County, ND?
Griggs County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th 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 Griggs County?
Griggs County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (49th percentile), tornado (16th percentile), flooding (2th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 49th 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 Griggs County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Griggs County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Griggs County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Griggs County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Griggs County's wildfire risk is at the 49th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Griggs County is at the 2th 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 Griggs County a safe place to live?
Griggs County's composite risk score of 5th 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 49th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Sheridan County

North Dakota

-0.1

Very Low

5th percentile

Adams County

North Dakota

-0.6

Very Low

5th percentile

Divide County

North Dakota

+0.7

Very Low

6th percentile

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.

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