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

Towner County Disaster Risk

Towner County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#47

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Towner County, North Dakota

Towner County ranks exceptionally safe

With a composite risk score of just 2.00, Towner County earns a "Very Low" rating and ranks among the safest counties in the United States. Your community faces minimal exposure to natural disasters compared to the national average.

ND's second-safest county

Towner County's 2.00 score ranks second only to Slope County (0.64) in safety across North Dakota, sitting far below the state average of 22.19. This exceptional resilience reflects minimal hazard exposure across virtually all disaster categories.

Safest in the northeast region

Towner's 2.00 score edges out Eddy County (8.34) to the south and surpasses Ramsey County (18.97) to the east, establishing it as the region's clear safety leader. Only Slope County matches or exceeds this exceptional protection.

Wildfire is your sole notable hazard

Wildfire risk (56.77) is Towner County's primary hazard, yet even this score remains moderate in state context. Flood (1.11), tornado (7.79), and earthquake (0.45) risks are negligible.

Basic insurance coverage suffices

Towner County's exceptionally low disaster risk means standard homeowners insurance provides ample protection for most residents. Verify your policy covers wildfire, and maintain a basic emergency preparedness kit as a precaution.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Towner County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    8th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    1th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Towner County

Risk Verdict

Towner County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 2th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Towner County's favorable 2th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Towner County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 8th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (1th percentile), earthquake (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 57th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Towner County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. The county's tornado exposure at the 8th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Towner County residents.

Regional Context

Towner County falls 20.2 points below North Dakota's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Towner 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 Towner County, ND?
Towner County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Towner County?
Towner County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (8th percentile), flooding (1th percentile), earthquake (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 57th 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 Towner County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Towner County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Towner County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Towner County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Towner County's wildfire risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Towner County is at the 1th 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.
Is Towner County a safe place to live?
Towner County's composite risk score of 2th percentile is below the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 57th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bowman County

North Dakota

+0.1

Very Low

2th percentile

Eddy County

North Dakota

-0.2

Very Low

2th percentile

Oliver County

North Dakota

-0.3

Very Low

2th 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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