McKenzie County Disaster Risk
McKenzie County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
25th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#17
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
15th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in McKenzie County, North Dakota
McKenzie's disaster risk stays very low
McKenzie County's composite score of 25.03 places it in the Very Low risk category, comfortably below typical U.S. county exposure levels. The county benefits from relatively distributed, moderate hazards rather than concentrated severe risks.
McKenzie ranks slightly above state average
At 25.03, McKenzie's composite risk slightly exceeds North Dakota's average of 22.19, but the difference is modest and the Very Low rating holds firm. This positions McKenzie in the lower-to-middle range of state county risk.
Similar risk to Mountrail; safer than McLean
McKenzie's score of 25.03 closely matches Mountrail County (21.37) and sits well below McLean County (43.10) and Morton County (49.59). Among northwestern counties, McKenzie ranks as one of the safer options.
Wildfire and tornado exposure most notable
Wildfire risk is elevated at 77.35, while tornado risk reaches 33.14—the two hazards requiring the most attention. Flood risk remains modest at 15.30, and earthquake risk is minimal.
Bundle wildfire and tornado preparedness
Verify your homeowners policy covers both wildfire and wind/hail damage from tornadoes, as McKenzie faces dual exposure to these events. Maintain defensible space around structures and identify safe rooms for severe weather.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in McKenzie County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: McKenzie County
Risk Verdict
McKenzie County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 25th percentile nationally. Even at the 25th percentile, McKenzie County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is McKenzie County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 33th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (15th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 77th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, McKenzie 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 33th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. 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 McKenzie County residents.
Regional Context
McKenzie County tracks the North Dakota county average closely, sitting 2.8 composite points above the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within North Dakota.
Is your household prepared for McKenzie County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in McKenzie County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect McKenzie County?
How does McKenzie County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is McKenzie County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is McKenzie County higher risk than average?
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.