Natural Disaster Risk in Oakes

Natural Hazard Profile: Oakes, North Dakota

Oakes is a town of roughly 2,656 residents in Dickey County, in the northern tier of the continental United States. The area experiences extremely cold winters and short, warm summers with prairie wind exposure, with severe blizzards and spring flooding shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Oakes.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Oakes carries an overall risk score of 4.7/10, placing it in the moderate category. The area faces significant winter hazard exposure, with nor'easters, ice storms, or blizzards regularly challenging transportation networks and power infrastructure. The area also faces notable exposure to cold wave and hail.

Oakes's risk score, near the 4.7/10 state average and near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Dickey County, the highest-scoring are winter, cold wave, and hail. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Oakes's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that winter exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.