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

Kidder County Disaster Risk

Kidder County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#45

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

3th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% 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 1% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Kidder County, North Dakota

Kidder: Among the Nation's Safest

Kidder County posts a composite risk score of just 3.15, the lowest in the entire state and far below the national average. The county enjoys exceptional protection from major natural disaster exposure.

North Dakota's Safest County

Kidder County ranks as the lowest-risk county in North Dakota with a composite score of 3.15, less than one-seventh of the state average of 22.19. The county's very low rating reflects minimal exposure across nearly all major hazard types.

Exceptional Safety Across the Region

Kidder County's 3.15 score makes it even safer than nearby Griggs County (5.12) and LaMoure County (10.94), positioning it as the region's safest community. The county's protection is remarkable even by North Dakota's standards.

Wildfire Only Meaningful Threat

Wildfire risk at 45.83 is the only material hazard in Kidder County, while flood (3.05), tornado (17.02), and earthquake (0.83) risks all remain minimal. The county's overall safety is exceptional across the board.

Standard Coverage Sufficient Here

Kidder County residents can feel confident with basic homeowners insurance, though wildfire coverage should be verified and included. The county's exceptional safety profile means fewer specialized insurance needs than most of the nation.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Kidder County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    46th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    17th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    3th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Kidder County

Risk Verdict

Kidder County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 3th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Kidder County can use the 3th 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 Kidder County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 46th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 17th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (3th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Kidder County's primary hazard at the 46th percentile nationally. For Kidder County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. 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. Kidder County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the North Dakota county average, Kidder County's composite score runs 19.0 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Kidder 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 Kidder County, ND?
Kidder County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Kidder County?
Kidder County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (46th percentile), tornado (17th percentile), flooding (3th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 46th 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 Kidder County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Kidder County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Kidder County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Kidder County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Kidder County's wildfire risk is at the 46th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Kidder County is at the 3th 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 Kidder County a safe place to live?
Kidder County's composite risk score of 3th 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 46th 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.