Williams County Disaster Risk
Williams County, North Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
54th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#6
of 53 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
43th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 53% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Williams County, North Dakota
Williams County faces above-average risk
With a composite risk score of 53.66, Williams County ranks as Relatively Low but significantly exceeds the national average for disaster risk. This places it among the higher-risk counties in the nation's upper plains.
Second-highest risk county in state
Williams County's 53.66 score ranks second only to Ward County (64.76) in North Dakota, more than doubling the state average of 22.19. The county faces a multifaceted disaster risk landscape.
Riskier than most surrounding counties
Williams County (53.66) approaches Ward County (64.76) in hazard exposure, far exceeding Traill (11.01), Walsh (29.01), and Wells (8.59). Only Ward County presents comparable or greater risk in northwestern North Dakota.
Wildfires and tornadoes dominate hazards
Wildfire risk (77.42) and tornado risk (53.12) are Williams County's primary threats, with wildfire exposure nearly matching Ward County's 79.42. Flood risk (42.91) and earthquake risk (18.19) also warrant attention and preparation.
Dual planning for fire and tornado
Williams County residents need both wildfire and tornado preparedness strategies: create defensible space around your home and identify or build a safe room. Confirm that homeowners insurance covers both wildfire and tornado damage, and update your emergency supply kits for extended power outages.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Williams County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Williams County
Risk Verdict
Williams County's FEMA risk score places it at the 54th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Williams County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 53th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (43th percentile), earthquake (18th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Williams County sits at the 77th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Williams County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary tornado exposure at the 53th percentile nationally means Williams County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Williams County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
The North Dakota county average is 31.5 composite points below Williams County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Williams County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Williams County, ND?
What types of natural hazards affect Williams County?
How does Williams County risk compare to the North Dakota average?
Is Williams County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Williams 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.