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

Traill County Disaster Risk

Traill County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Traill County, North Dakota

Traill County sits well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 11.01, Traill County ranks as Very Low—substantially safer than the national average. This means residents face significantly fewer natural disaster threats compared to most U.S. counties.

Among North Dakota's safest counties

Traill County's 11.01 score places it well below the state average of 22.19, making it one of North Dakota's lowest-risk counties. This protective position reflects the county's geography and climate patterns.

Safer than surrounding counties

Traill County's risk profile is notably lower than nearby Walsh County (29.01) and Ward County (64.76), which face greater tornado and wildfire exposure. Its neighbors in the region experience considerably higher composite risks.

Tornadoes and wildfires pose most threat

Tornado risk (29.99) and wildfire risk (23.31) are Traill County's primary concerns, though both remain below state averages. Flood risk is relatively modest at 12.66, and earthquake activity is minimal at 3.88.

Keep tornado preparedness front and center

While Traill County's overall risk is low, tornado season demands attention: a safe room or basement shelter is essential. Standard homeowners insurance covers wind and hail, but verify your policy includes tornado-related damage coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Traill County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    30th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    23th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    13th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Traill County

Risk Verdict

Traill County's overall natural disaster score at the 11th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 11th percentile, Traill County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Traill County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 30th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 23th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (13th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With tornado ranked at the 30th percentile nationally, Traill County sits in a high-exposure zone where the difference between outcomes often comes down to proximity to a reinforced interior shelter and seconds of warning time. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 23th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Traill County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. For Traill County households, safe rooms certified to FEMA 320/361 standards offer the highest protection during a direct tornado hit; households without a safe room should locate the innermost lowest-floor room in their building and practice the route to it before storm season.

Regional Context

Traill County's composite risk score sits 11.2 points below the North Dakota county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Traill 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 Traill County, ND?
Traill County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Traill County?
Traill County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (30th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile), flooding (13th percentile), earthquake (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 30th 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 Traill County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Traill County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Traill County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Traill County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Traill County's tornado risk is at the 30th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Traill County is at the 13th 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 Traill County a safe place to live?
Traill County's composite risk score of 11th 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 tornado at the 30th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

LaMoure County

North Dakota

-0.1

Very Low

11th percentile

Dunn County

North Dakota

-0.2

Very Low

11th percentile

McHenry County

North Dakota

+0.7

Very Low

12th 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.

Explore more data for Traill County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score