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

Renville County Disaster Risk

Renville County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#50

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

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% 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 Renville County, North Dakota

Renville County among safest in U.S.

Renville County's composite risk score of 1.53 ranks among the lowest in the entire nation, reflecting minimal exposure to major natural disasters. This exceptional rating reflects the county's fortunate geography across nearly all hazard categories.

North Dakota's second-safest county

Renville County ranks second-lowest statewide with a 1.53 composite score, surpassed only by Oliver County's 1.72. The county sits well below the state average of 22.19, offering residents exceptional natural disaster resilience.

Safest county in its region

Renville's 1.53 score is dramatically lower than all adjacent counties including Ransom (13.20) and Pembina (20.93). The county's favorable risk profile extends across flood, tornado, earthquake, and wildfire categories.

Wildfire is only meaningful concern

Wildfire risk scores 37.28, the only hazard reaching above-minimal levels in Renville County. Tornado (10.50), flood (1.72), and earthquake (1.37) risks are all exceptionally low for this region.

Standard coverage meets your needs

Renville County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance with basic wildfire coverage for most protection needs. Consider a wildfire rider if you live in a fire-prone area, but overall your risk profile supports straightforward insurance choices.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Renville County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    37th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    10th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    2th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Renville County

Risk Verdict

At the 2th percentile nationally, Renville County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Renville County's favorable 2th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Renville County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 37th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 10th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (2th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Renville County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 37th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Renville County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. A secondary tornado exposure at the 10th percentile nationally means Renville County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Renville County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 20.7 points below the North Dakota state average puts Renville County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Renville 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 Renville County, ND?
Renville County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Renville County?
Renville County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (37th percentile), tornado (10th percentile), flooding (2th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 37th 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 Renville County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Renville County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Renville County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Renville County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Renville County's wildfire risk is at the 37th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Renville 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 Renville County a safe place to live?
Renville County's composite risk score of 2th 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 37th 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.