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

Dawson County Disaster Risk

Dawson County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

64th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Dawson County, Montana

Dawson's Risk Exceeds National Norms

Dawson County's composite risk score of 63.80 places it well above the national average baseline. Your "Relatively Low" rating reflects significant natural disaster exposure, particularly from wildfire and flood events.

Above-Average Risk for Montana

At 63.80, Dawson ranks in Montana's upper-middle risk tier, nearly double the state average of 33.31. Your county faces notably elevated hazard exposure compared to most Montana communities.

Elevated Risk in Regional Context

Dawson County (63.80) significantly outpaces Fallon County (5.41) and Daniels County (1.81) to the north and east, though it remains safer than Flathead (86.45) and Gallatin (80.98) counties. Your central-eastern location exposes you to moderate wildfire and flood threats.

Wildfire and Flood Lead Your Threats

Wildfire at 59.57 is Dawson's dominant hazard, followed closely by flood risk at 28.15. Tornadoes (25.13) present a secondary but noteworthy threat, while earthquake risk (15.01) remains minimal.

Bundle Fire and Flood Protection

Dawson County residents should prioritize both wildfire and flood insurance, especially those in riparian zones or fire-prone areas. Adding earthquake coverage to your policy costs little and provides comprehensive protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Dawson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    60th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    28th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    25th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Dawson County

Risk Verdict

At the 64th percentile nationally, Dawson County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Dawson County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Dawson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 28th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (25th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Dawson County's primary hazard at the 60th percentile nationally. For Dawson County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 28th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Dawson County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Dawson County falls 30.5 points above Montana's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Dawson 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 Dawson County, MT?
Dawson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 64th 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 Dawson County?
Dawson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (60th percentile), flooding (28th percentile), tornado (25th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 60th 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 Dawson County risk compare to the Montana average?
Dawson County's composite risk percentile is 64th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Dawson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Dawson County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Dawson County's wildfire risk is at the 60th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Dawson County is at the 28th 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.
Why is Dawson County higher risk than average?
Dawson County's composite risk score of 64th percentile is above the Montana state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (60th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lincoln County

Montana

+0.5

Relatively Low

64th percentile

Park County

Montana

+2.5

Relatively Low

66th percentile

Lake County

Montana

+3.8

Relatively Low

68th percentile

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.

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