Mercer County Disaster Risk
Mercer County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
14th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#25
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
16th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% 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 Mercer County, North Dakota
Mercer ranks among America's safest counties
Mercer County's composite risk score of 13.87 places it firmly in the Very Low category—safer than the vast majority of U.S. counties. This position reflects low to modest exposure across most natural hazard types.
Mercer is ND's second-safest county
At 13.87, Mercer's score places it well below North Dakota's average of 22.19, ranking among the state's most resilient counties. Only Nelson County (7.92) scores lower across all North Dakota counties.
Safest in its region alongside McHenry
Mercer's 13.87 score matches McHenry County (11.74) as one of northwestern North Dakota's safest areas, both significantly outperforming McLean (43.10) and McKenzie (25.03). Mercer ranks second in regional resilience.
Wildfire is the primary concern
Wildfire risk reaches 61.58 in Mercer County, making it the clear leading hazard despite relatively low overall risk. Tornado risk is modest at 28.53, and flood and earthquake risks remain minimal.
Maintain wildfire coverage and awareness
Ensure homeowners insurance includes wildfire protection and create defensible space—clearing brush and debris from your property's perimeter. Stay informed during fire season through local emergency management channels.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Mercer County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Mercer County
Risk Verdict
Mercer County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 14th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 14th percentile, Mercer 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 Mercer County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 29th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (16th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Mercer County's primary hazard at the 62th percentile nationally. For Mercer 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 29th percentile nationally means Mercer County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Mercer 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, Mercer County's composite score runs 8.3 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Mercer County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Mercer County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Mercer County?
How does Mercer County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Mercer County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Mercer County a safe place to live?
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.