Cascade County Disaster Risk
Cascade County, Montana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
83th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#3
of 56 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
83th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Cascade County, Montana
Cascade County faces notably elevated national risk
Cascade County scores 83.14 on the composite risk index, placing it in the Relatively Moderate category and substantially above the national average. This score reflects exceptional flood risk (83.40), high wildfire risk (84.16), and significant earthquake exposure (71.76).
Montana's second-highest risk county
Cascade County ranks second among Montana's 56 counties with a composite score of 83.14, far exceeding the state average of 33.31. Only one other Montana county faces comparable multi-hazard exposure, making Cascade a critical focus for disaster preparedness.
Significantly higher risk than all regional peers
Cascade County's composite score (83.14) is far higher than neighboring Broadwater (17.68), Chouteau (39.47), and Blaine (45.87) counties. Its flood risk (83.40) and wildfire risk (84.16) are among the highest in the state, reflecting the county's position along major river systems and in fire-prone terrain.
Floods and wildfires dominate your risk landscape
Cascade County residents face exceptional flood risk (83.40) and wildfire risk (84.16), creating a compound disaster scenario that demands serious preparation. Earthquake risk (71.76) and tornado risk (20.80) are also above state averages, broadening your exposure across multiple hazard types.
Comprehensive multi-hazard insurance is critical
Cascade County's exceptional exposure to floods and wildfires—both excluded from standard homeowners policies—means you must secure separate specialized coverage for both. Work with an insurance broker to ensure your policy adequately protects against your county's top threats, and maintain defensible space and flood preparedness as ongoing priorities.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Cascade County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Cascade County
Risk Verdict
At the 83th percentile nationally, Cascade County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Cascade County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Cascade County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (72th percentile), tornado (21th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Cascade County sits at the 84th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Cascade 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. The county's flood exposure at the 83th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Cascade 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 Montana county average is 49.8 composite points below Cascade County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Cascade County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Cascade County, MT?
What types of natural hazards affect Cascade County?
How does Cascade County risk compare to the Montana average?
Is Cascade County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Cascade 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.