Steele County Disaster Risk
Steele County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
7th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#39
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
2th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 2% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 1% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Steele County, North Dakota
Steele ranks safely below average
With a composite risk score of 6.65, Steele County earns a "Very Low" rating and ranks well below the national average for disaster risk. Your community enjoys substantially safer conditions than most U.S. counties.
Among ND's lowest-risk counties
Steele County's 6.65 score sits significantly below North Dakota's state average of 22.19, placing it firmly in the state's safest communities. This advantage reflects minimal exposure to major natural hazards across the region.
Comparable safety to regional peers
Steele's 6.65 score resembles nearby Sargent County (7.44) and Towner County (2.00), establishing the east-central region as one of North Dakota's safest areas. All three counties dramatically underperform the state average.
Wildfire and tornado are modest concerns
Wildfire risk (17.02) and tornado risk (16.76) represent Steele County's primary hazards, though both scores remain low relative to state and national comparisons. Flood and earthquake risks are negligible.
Standard homeowners insurance suffices
Steele County's minimal disaster risks mean standard homeowners coverage provides adequate protection for most residents. Confirm your policy includes wildfire and tornado coverage, and review your emergency preparedness plan annually.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Steele County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Steele County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Steele County ranks at the 7th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. The 7th percentile national ranking is one lens; Steele County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Steele County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 17th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 17th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (2th percentile), earthquake (1th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Steele County sits at the 17th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Steele County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 17th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Steele County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
At 15.5 points below the North Dakota state average, Steele County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Steele County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Steele County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Steele County?
How does Steele County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Steele County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Steele 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.