Rolette County Disaster Risk
Rolette County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
53th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#7
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
22th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 31% 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 Rolette County, North Dakota
Rolette County faces significant U.S. risk
Rolette County's composite risk score of 52.86 places it well above the national average and in the relatively low category, reflecting substantial natural disaster exposure. The rating is driven primarily by exceptional wildfire risk—the highest among all North Dakota counties.
Second-highest-risk county in ND
Rolette County ranks second statewide with a 52.86 composite score, exceeded only by Richland County's 35.31. The county's risk profile diverges from Richland's by featuring wildfire as the dominant hazard rather than tornadoes.
Riskiest county in its region
Rolette's 52.86 score substantially exceeds Pierce (3.24), Ramsey (18.32), and Ransom (13.20). The county's extreme wildfire vulnerability (96.37) is by far the highest among all ND counties and regional neighbors.
Wildfire dominates all other hazards
Wildfire risk scores an exceptional 96.37—the single highest hazard exposure of any North Dakota county. Tornado risk (31.14), flood risk (21.56), and earthquake risk (15.17) round out substantial but secondary concerns.
Wildfire protection is non-negotiable
Wildfire coverage must be a centerpiece of your insurance strategy; most standard policies exclude this peril entirely. Additionally, obtain separate coverage for tornado, earthquake, and flood risks—Rolette County faces multiple significant hazards requiring comprehensive protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Rolette County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Rolette County
Risk Verdict
Rolette County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 53th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Rolette County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Rolette County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 31th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (22th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 96th percentile nationally for wildfire, Rolette County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 31th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Rolette County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 30.7 points above the North Dakota state average puts Rolette County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Rolette County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Rolette County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Rolette County?
How does Rolette County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Rolette County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Rolette 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.