Flathead County Disaster Risk
Flathead County, Montana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
86th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#1
of 56 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
80th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 5% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Flathead County, Montana
Flathead's Risk Among Nation's Highest
Flathead County's composite risk score of 86.45 places it in America's highest-risk tier, earning a "Relatively Moderate" rating. Your county faces substantial natural disaster exposure from multiple concurrent hazards.
Montana's Highest-Risk County
At 86.45, Flathead ranks as Montana's riskiest county, far exceeding the state average of 33.31. Your county concentrates the state's most significant natural disaster exposure.
Significantly Riskier Than All Neighbors
Flathead County (86.45) substantially exceeds every neighboring jurisdiction, including Gallatin (80.98) to the south and all eastern and central counties. Your northwestern location in Montana's most hazard-prone region drives this elevated profile.
Earthquake and Wildfire Converge
Earthquake risk at 95.77 and wildfire at 95.45 are nearly tied as Flathead's dominant threats, both exceeding 95. Flood risk (79.80) rounds out your triple threat, while tornadoes (4.61) present minimal danger.
Bundle Earthquake, Fire, and Flood Coverage
Flathead County residents must prioritize earthquake, wildfire, and flood insurance as essential protection—not optional add-ons. Given your county's exceptional risk profile, comprehensive coverage is critical to protecting your home and finances.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Flathead County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Flathead County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Flathead County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 86th. Flathead County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Flathead County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 95th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (80th percentile), tornado (5th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 96th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Flathead County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Wildfire at the 95th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Flathead County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. For Flathead County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.
Regional Context
A composite score 53.1 points above the Montana state average puts Flathead County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Flathead County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Flathead County, MT?
What types of natural hazards affect Flathead County?
How does Flathead County risk compare to the Montana average?
Is Flathead County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Flathead 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.