Walsh County Disaster Risk
Walsh County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
29th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#16
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
35th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 35% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Walsh County, North Dakota
Walsh County remains very low risk nationally
Despite a composite score of 29.01, Walsh County ranks as Very Low when measured against national disaster risk standards. This reflects North Dakota's overall favorable position relative to high-risk regions nationwide.
Slightly above North Dakota's average risk
Walsh County's 29.01 score exceeds the state average of 22.19, placing it in the middle tier of North Dakota counties. Wildfire risk particularly drives this elevation above the state norm.
More exposed than Traill, safer than Ward
Walsh County (29.01) sits between lower-risk Traill County (11.01) and higher-risk Ward County (64.76) in the eastern part of the state. Its wildfire score of 79.17 is notably elevated compared to Traill's 23.31.
Wildfires and tornadoes lead the threats
Wildfire risk reaches 79.17 in Walsh County, a significant hazard that demands attention despite the county's overall Very Low rating. Tornado risk (40.27) and flood risk (35.40) also merit preparation, while earthquakes remain minimal.
Prioritize wildfire and tornado coverage
Walsh County residents should ensure homeowners insurance explicitly covers wildfire damage, as standard policies sometimes exclude it. Create defensible space around your home and develop a family tornado plan for spring and early summer.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Walsh County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Walsh County
Risk Verdict
Walsh County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 29th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Walsh County's 29th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Walsh County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (35th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Walsh County's primary hazard at the 79th percentile nationally. For Walsh County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary tornado exposure at the 40th percentile nationally means Walsh County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Walsh County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Walsh County falls 6.8 points above North Dakota's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Walsh County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Walsh County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Walsh County?
How does Walsh County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Walsh County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Walsh County higher risk than average?
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.