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

Stark County Disaster Risk

Stark County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

37th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#13

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 Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Stark County, North Dakota

Stark faces above-average disaster risk

Stark County's composite risk score of 37.34 carries a "Very Low" rating but places it above the national average, indicating elevated natural disaster exposure. Your community faces more hazard vulnerability than typical U.S. counties.

Mid-range risk within North Dakota

At 37.34, Stark County exceeds North Dakota's state average of 22.19, landing it among the state's more hazard-prone communities. This elevated score reflects above-average exposure to multiple disaster types across the county.

Riskier than most regional peers

Stark's 37.34 score exceeds Billings County (11.22) to the south and Dunn County (18.77) to the east, positioning it as the region's highest-risk county. McKenzie County (43.12) to the north presents comparable hazard exposure.

Tornado and wildfire lead threats

Tornado risk (47.90) ranks as Stark County's top hazard, followed closely by wildfire risk (54.80), both well above state averages. Flood risk (22.33) and earthquake risk (16.83) add secondary vulnerability across your landscape.

Enhanced coverage protects your investment

Homeowners in Stark County should verify their policies cover both wildfire and tornado damage, potentially requiring additional riders beyond standard coverage. Build an emergency kit, secure a weather radio, and establish a family communication plan for severe events.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Stark County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    55th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    22th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Stark County

Risk Verdict

At the 37th percentile nationally, Stark County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 37th percentile nationally, Stark County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Stark County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (22th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Stark County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Stark County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 48th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Stark 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

Compared to other North Dakota counties, Stark County runs 15.2 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Stark 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 Stark County, ND?
Stark County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 37th 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 Stark County?
Stark County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (55th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), flooding (22th percentile), earthquake (17th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 55th 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 Stark County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Stark County's composite risk percentile is 37th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Stark County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Stark County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Stark County's wildfire risk is at the 55th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Stark County is at the 22th 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.
Why is Stark County higher risk than average?
Stark County's composite risk score of 37th percentile is above the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (55th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Richland County

North Dakota

-2.0

Very Low

35th percentile

McIntosh County

North Dakota

-2.1

Very Low

35th percentile

McLean County

North Dakota

+5.8

Relatively Low

43th percentile

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.

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