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

Wells County Disaster Risk

Wells County, North Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

9th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 53 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wells County, North Dakota

Wells County is among America's safest

With a composite risk score of just 8.59, Wells County ranks as Very Low and sits far below the national average for disaster risk. This makes it one of the lowest-risk counties in the entire United States.

North Dakota's safest county

Wells County's 8.59 score is the lowest in North Dakota, well below the state average of 22.19. The county's protective geography and climate create an exceptionally safe environment.

Significantly safer than all neighbors

Wells County (8.59) offers markedly lower risk than nearby Traill (11.01), Walsh (29.01), Ward (64.76), and Williams (53.66) counties. It stands out as a natural haven in the state.

Wildfire is the only notable concern

Wildfire risk at 51.43 is Wells County's primary hazard, though it remains manageable with standard precautions. Tornado (22.68), flood (4.93), and earthquake (2.07) risks are all minimal.

Focus on wildfire preparedness primarily

Wells County residents should concentrate wildfire preparations on defensible space, roof maintenance, and clearing gutters of debris. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind and fire; ensure your policy includes wildfires and review it annually.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wells County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    51th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    23th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    5th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wells County

Risk Verdict

At the 9th percentile nationally, Wells County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Residents of Wells County can use the 9th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Wells County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 23th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (5th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wells County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 51th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Wells County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 23th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Wells County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 13.6 points below the North Dakota state average puts Wells County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Wells 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 Wells County, ND?
Wells County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 9th 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 Wells County?
Wells County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (51th percentile), tornado (23th percentile), flooding (5th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 51th 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 Wells County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Wells County's composite risk percentile is 9th, compared to the North Dakota state average of 22th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wells County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Dakota.
Is Wells County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Wells County's wildfire risk is at the 51th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wells County is at the 5th 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 Wells County a safe place to live?
Wells County's composite risk score of 9th 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 51th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hettinger County

North Dakota

+0.6

Very Low

9th percentile

Nelson County

North Dakota

-0.7

Very Low

8th percentile

Sargent County

North Dakota

-1.1

Very Low

7th 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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