Sheridan County Disaster Risk
Sheridan County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
5th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#42
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 63% 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 6% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sheridan County, North Dakota
Sheridan's risk sits well below average
Sheridan County's composite risk score of 5.03 earns a "Very Low" rating, placing it among the safest counties nationally. Your community enjoys substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties.
One of ND's lowest-risk counties
At 5.03, Sheridan County ranks significantly below North Dakota's state average of 22.19, making it one of the state's most resilient communities. This exceptionally low score reflects protection from the hazards that threaten other regions.
Comparable to fellow low-risk neighbors
Sheridan's 5.03 score rivals nearby Slope County (0.64) as one of the region's safest places, though both exceed the averages seen in central North Dakota. McKenzie County to the north faces notably higher wildfire exposure.
Wildfire and tornado are top concerns
Wildfire risk (63.30) is your county's highest hazard score, followed by tornado risk (22.42), reflecting typical Great Plains exposure patterns. Both scores remain manageable within the context of Sheridan's overall very low composite risk.
Baseline coverage is your safeguard
Standard homeowners insurance adequately covers Sheridan County's modest natural disaster risks. Review your policy annually and ensure you have emergency supplies and a weather safety plan for tornado season.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sheridan County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sheridan County
Risk Verdict
Sheridan County's overall natural disaster score at the 5th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Residents of Sheridan County can use the 5th 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 Sheridan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 22th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (6th percentile), flood (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 63th percentile nationally, Sheridan County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Sheridan County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's tornado exposure at the 22th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Sheridan County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Sheridan County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Sheridan County's composite risk score sits 17.2 points below the North Dakota county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.
Is your household prepared for Sheridan County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sheridan County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Sheridan County?
How does Sheridan County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Sheridan County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Sheridan 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.