Natural Disaster Risk in Stark County

Natural Hazard Profile: Stark County, North Dakota

Stark County is located in the United States in North Dakota, home to roughly 33,613 residents. The county experiences extremely cold winters and short, warm summers with prairie wind exposure, with severe blizzards and spring flooding shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Stark County's composite natural disaster risk at 5.5 out of 10 — moderate risk. Severe winter storms top the local risk profile, bringing blizzard conditions, ice storms, and extreme cold that pose health risks and cause extensive property and infrastructure damage. Residents should also account for hail and cold wave risk in their preparedness planning.

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

With a moderate risk rating, Stark County residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for winter is recommended.