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

Fallon County Disaster Risk

Fallon County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#45

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

6th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Fallon County, Montana

Fallon Among Nation's Safest Counties

Fallon County's composite risk score of 5.41 ranks it among America's lowest-risk jurisdictions. Your "Very Low" rating reflects minimal exposure across the full spectrum of natural disasters.

Montana's Second-Safest County

At 5.41, Fallon ranks as Montana's second-safest county after Daniels (1.81), with a score far below the state average of 33.31. This exceptional safety profile distinguishes Fallon across all metrics.

Safest in Eastern Montana

Fallon County (5.41) far outpaces Custer (42.14), Fergus (45.10), and Dawson (63.80), establishing it as eastern Montana's risk leader. Your plains location and distance from seismic zones provide substantial natural protection.

Wildfire Alone Merits Attention

Wildfire at 56.52 is Fallon's only elevated hazard, though it remains moderate in absolute terms. Floods (5.53), tornadoes (10.53), and earthquakes (7.82) pose minimal threats.

Standard Coverage Provides Solid Protection

Fallon residents benefit from minimal disaster risk; standard homeowners insurance adequately covers your exposure. Basic fire precautions and standard policies position you well against Montana's natural hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Fallon County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    11th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    8th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Fallon County

Risk Verdict

At the 5th percentile nationally, Fallon County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A 5th percentile score positions Fallon County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Fallon County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 11th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (8th percentile), flood (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Fallon County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Fallon County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 11th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Fallon County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 27.9 points below the Montana state average puts Fallon County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Fallon 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 Fallon County, MT?
Fallon County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th 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 Fallon County?
Fallon County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (11th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile), flooding (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 57th 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 Fallon County risk compare to the Montana average?
Fallon County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Fallon County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Fallon County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Fallon County's wildfire risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Fallon County is at the 6th 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 Fallon County a safe place to live?
Fallon County's composite risk score of 5th 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 57th 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.