Nelson County Disaster Risk
Nelson County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
8th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#36
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
4th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 68% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 2% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Nelson County, North Dakota
Nelson ranks among America's safest counties
Nelson County's composite risk score of 7.92 is exceptionally low, placing it in the Very Low category well below the vast majority of U.S. counties. This outstanding resilience reflects minimal to low hazard exposure across nearly all disaster types.
Nelson is North Dakota's safest county
At 7.92, Nelson's score is the lowest in North Dakota and dramatically outperforms the state average of 22.19. Nelson stands as the state's most resilient county across all natural disaster metrics.
Significantly safer than surrounding counties
Nelson's 7.92 score is substantially lower than McHenry (11.74), Mercer (13.87), and all other nearby counties, making it the region's clear safest location. Its advantage over McLean (43.10) and Morton (49.59) is dramatic.
Wildfire is minimal concern; tornado secondary
Wildfire risk reaches 67.81 in Nelson—the county's only notable hazard—while tornado risk is low at 21.53. Flood risk is exceptionally modest at 4.26, and earthquake risk is nearly negligible at 1.59.
Maintain basic wildfire-aware coverage
While Nelson's overall risk is minimal, ensure your homeowners policy includes wildfire coverage as a precaution during fire season. Standard disaster preparedness—emergency supplies and alert sign-up—remains advisable.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Nelson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Nelson County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Nelson County ranks at the 8th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Residents of Nelson County can use the 8th 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 Nelson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 22th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (4th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Nelson County sits at the 68th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Nelson County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary tornado exposure at the 22th percentile nationally means Nelson County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Nelson County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
At 14.3 points below the North Dakota state average, Nelson County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Nelson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Nelson County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Nelson County?
How does Nelson County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Nelson County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Nelson 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.