Sioux County Disaster Risk
Sioux County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
62th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#4
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
10th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 81% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 5% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sioux County, North Dakota
Sioux faces notably elevated risk
With a composite risk score of 62.09, Sioux County carries "Relatively Low" but significantly elevated risk compared to most U.S. counties. Your community faces nearly three times the national average exposure to natural disasters.
ND's highest-risk county by far
Sioux County's 62.09 score towers above North Dakota's state average of 22.19, making it the state's most disaster-prone community. This exceptional vulnerability stems primarily from extreme wildfire exposure in the state's northwestern region.
Far riskier than surrounding areas
Sioux County's 62.09 score dwarfs Mountrail County (43.12) to the east and Dunn County (18.77) to the south. Your county faces unique hazard exposure that demands heightened preparedness compared to virtually every neighboring area.
Wildfire dominates your risk profile
Wildfire risk scores an alarming 80.53 in Sioux County—the single highest wildfire exposure in North Dakota. Tornado risk (25.00) and flood risk (9.99) present secondary concerns, but wildfire remains your defining natural hazard.
Wildfire insurance is essential here
Standard homeowners policies often exclude wildfire; verify that your coverage includes this critical peril or purchase a separate rider. Create defensible space around your home, maintain gutters free of debris, and establish an evacuation plan before fire season arrives.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sioux County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sioux County
Risk Verdict
At the 62th percentile nationally, Sioux County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Sioux County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Sioux County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 25th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (10th percentile), earthquake (5th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Sioux County's primary hazard at the 81th percentile nationally. For Sioux County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 25th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Sioux County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Sioux County falls 39.9 points above North Dakota's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Sioux County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sioux County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Sioux County?
How does Sioux County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Sioux County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Sioux 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.