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 Advisory: Stark County

Risk Verdict

Stark County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 37th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Stark County, scoring in the 55th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 48th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (22th), earthquake (17th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Stark County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Stark County is significantly riskier than the average county in North Dakota. Its composite risk score is 15.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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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.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.