Richland County Disaster Risk
Richland County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
35th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#14
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
29th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 54% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 50% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Richland County, North Dakota
Richland County faces elevated U.S. risk
Richland County's composite risk score of 35.31 significantly exceeds the national average, placing it in the higher-risk category among U.S. counties. The rating reflects substantial tornado and earthquake vulnerabilities alongside notable flood and wildfire exposure.
North Dakota's highest-risk county
Richland County ranks first statewide with a 35.31 composite score, substantially above the state average of 22.19. The county faces more combined natural disaster risk than any other North Dakota county.
Significantly riskier than all neighbors
Richland's 35.31 score exceeds every adjacent county, including Ransom (13.20) and Rolette (52.86 but slightly higher). The county's unique risk profile reflects its position along multiple hazard zones in southeastern North Dakota.
Tornadoes and earthquakes top concerns
Tornado risk scores a very high 49.62, the single largest threat to Richland County residents. Earthquake risk (14.73) ranks second among county hazards, alongside meaningful flood (29.48) and wildfire (53.98) exposure.
Comprehensive coverage is critical here
Obtain homeowners insurance with explicit tornado and earthquake coverage; standard policies typically exclude both perils. Add wildfire protection and verify flood coverage through separate NFIP policy—Richland County residents face the state's highest combined natural disaster risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Richland County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Richland County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Richland County ranks at the 35th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 35th percentile, Richland 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 Richland County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 54th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (29th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Richland County sits at the 54th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Richland 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 50th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Richland 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
The North Dakota county average is 13.1 composite points below Richland County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Richland County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Richland County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Richland County?
How does Richland County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Richland County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Richland 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.