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

Daniels County Disaster Risk

Daniels County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#52

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

3th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Daniels County, Montana

Daniels Ranks Among Safest Nationwide

Daniels County's composite risk score of 1.81 places it in the nation's safest tier for natural disaster exposure. Your "Very Low" rating reflects exceptionally minimal hazard concentration across flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other major threats.

Montana's Safest County

With a score of 1.81, Daniels is the safest county in Montana, dramatically outperforming the state average of 33.31. This makes Daniels a statistical outlier even within Montana's relatively moderate risk profile.

Dramatically Safer Than Regional Peers

Daniels County (1.81) faces a fraction of the risk carried by Custer County (42.14), Fergus County (45.10), and especially Flathead County (86.45). Your eastern plains location shields you from the fire and seismic hazards that threaten Montana's western and central regions.

Wildfire Is Your Only Concern

Even Daniels County's highest-risk hazard—wildfire at 37.82—remains well below the state average. Floods (2.99), tornadoes (7.92), and earthquakes (3.31) pose minimal risk, making your county exceptionally well-positioned.

Standard Homeowners Insurance Suffices

While your risk profile is excellent, standard homeowners insurance remains essential for general property protection. Basic coverage should adequately protect your investment in Daniels County.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Daniels County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    38th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    8th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    3th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Daniels County

Risk Verdict

Daniels County's overall natural disaster score at the 2th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Daniels County's 2th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Daniels County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 38th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 8th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (3th percentile), flood (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 38th percentile nationally, Daniels County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Daniels County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's tornado exposure at the 8th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Daniels County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Daniels County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Daniels County's composite risk score sits 31.5 points below the Montana county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Daniels 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 Daniels County, MT?
Daniels County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Daniels County?
Daniels County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (38th percentile), tornado (8th percentile), earthquake (3th percentile), flooding (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 38th 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 Daniels County risk compare to the Montana average?
Daniels County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Daniels County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Daniels County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Daniels County's wildfire risk is at the 38th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Daniels County is at the 3th 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 Daniels County a safe place to live?
Daniels County's composite risk score of 2th percentile is below the Montana state average of 33th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 38th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.