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

Stutsman County Disaster Risk

Stutsman County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

46th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#9

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Stutsman County, North Dakota

Stutsman faces above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 46.37, Stutsman County carries a "Relatively Low" rating but exceeds the national average for disaster risk. Your community faces notably more natural hazard exposure than the typical U.S. county.

Among ND's higher-risk counties

Stutsman County's 46.37 score significantly exceeds North Dakota's state average of 22.19, ranking it among the state's most hazard-prone communities. This elevated exposure spans multiple disaster types across the county.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Stutsman's 46.37 score exceeds most neighboring counties, including Wells County (26.15) to the east and Kidder County (22.60) to the west. Only Sioux County (62.09) and Stark County (37.34) present comparable or greater statewide risk.

Wildfire and tornado dominate threats

Wildfire risk (66.86) ranks as Stutsman County's highest hazard, while tornado risk (47.14) follows closely behind, both significantly exceeding state averages. Flood risk (26.91) presents a tertiary but material concern for your community.

Comprehensive coverage is critical

Stutsman County residents should ensure homeowners policies explicitly cover wildfire, tornado, and flood damage, adding riders as necessary. Develop a detailed evacuation plan, maintain defensible space around your home, and keep emergency supplies readily accessible year-round.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Stutsman County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    67th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    47th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    27th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Stutsman County

Risk Verdict

Stutsman County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 46th percentile across all U.S. counties. Even at the 46th percentile, Stutsman County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Stutsman County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 47th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (27th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 67th percentile nationally for wildfire, Stutsman County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary tornado exposure at the 47th percentile nationally means Stutsman County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Stutsman County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

A composite score 24.2 points above the North Dakota state average puts Stutsman County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Stutsman 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 Stutsman County, ND?
Stutsman County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 46th 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 Stutsman County?
Stutsman County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (67th percentile), tornado (47th percentile), flooding (27th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 67th 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 Stutsman County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Stutsman County's composite risk percentile is 46th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Stutsman County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Stutsman County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Stutsman County's wildfire risk is at the 67th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Stutsman County is at the 27th 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 Stutsman County higher risk than average?
Stutsman County's composite risk score of 46th percentile is above the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (67th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.