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

Garfield County Disaster Risk

Garfield County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#51

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Garfield County, Montana

Garfield ranks among safest counties

With a composite risk score of 2.48, Garfield County sits well below the national average and experiences very low overall natural disaster risk. Your county faces significantly less composite hazard exposure than most American counties, though wildfire remains a notable regional concern.

One of Montana's lowest-risk counties

Garfield County's composite score of 2.48 ranks it among the safest in Montana, where the state average is 33.31. This places your county in the bottom quartile for natural disaster risk across the state.

Safer than Golden Valley and Granite

Garfield's risk score of 2.48 is lower than neighboring Golden Valley (0.99) and Granite (9.38), making it among the most protected areas in central Montana. Your county enjoys greater resilience than most surrounding counties in the region.

Wildfire dominates your risk profile

Wildfire risk at 78.34 is your primary natural hazard, reflecting Montana's dry landscape and fire season intensity. Flood (5.38), earthquake (6.42), and tornado (4.23) risks remain minimal by comparison.

Prioritize wildfire coverage today

Review your homeowner's insurance to ensure wildfire damage is covered, as this is your county's dominant risk. Consider a hazard mitigation assessment and defensible space around your property to reduce exposure.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Garfield County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    78th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    6th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    5th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Garfield County

Risk Verdict

Garfield County's overall natural disaster score at the 2th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Even at the 2th percentile, Garfield County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Garfield County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 6th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (5th percentile), tornado (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 78th percentile nationally, Garfield 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 Garfield County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 6th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Garfield County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Garfield County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Garfield County's composite risk score sits 30.8 points below the Montana county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Garfield 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 Garfield County, MT?
Garfield 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 Garfield County?
Garfield County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (78th percentile), earthquake (6th percentile), flooding (5th percentile), tornado (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 78th 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 Garfield County risk compare to the Montana average?
Garfield 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 Garfield County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Garfield County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Garfield County's wildfire risk is at the 78th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Garfield County is at the 5th 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 Garfield County a safe place to live?
Garfield 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 78th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Meagher County

Montana

+0.3

Very Low

3th percentile

Daniels County

Montana

-0.7

Very Low

2th percentile

Carter County

Montana

-0.7

Very Low

2th 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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