Glacier County Disaster Risk
Glacier County, Montana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
51th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#16
of 56 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
45th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Glacier County, Montana
Glacier faces above-average disaster risk
Glacier County's composite risk score of 51.49 exceeds the national average and puts it in the relatively low risk category. Your county experiences more natural hazard exposure than most American counties, driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake risk.
Higher risk than average for Montana
At 51.49, Glacier County's composite score significantly exceeds Montana's state average of 33.31. Your county ranks in the upper half of Montana counties for natural disaster risk.
Riskier than Hill and Golden Valley
Glacier's score of 51.49 is higher than neighboring Hill County (50.45) but lower than Lake County (67.65). You're in a moderate-risk zone compared to surrounding counties in northwestern Montana.
Wildfire and earthquakes drive risk
Wildfire risk (85.27) and earthquake risk (60.75) are your county's dominant hazards, together accounting for most of your composite score. Flood risk (45.48) adds additional vulnerability, while tornado risk (3.66) remains minimal.
Ensure comprehensive multi-hazard coverage
Your homeowner's insurance should cover both wildfire and earthquake damage, as these are your leading risks. Consult with an agent to confirm your policy addresses these perils and consider additional coverage for flood risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Glacier County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Glacier County
Risk Verdict
At the 51th percentile nationally, Glacier County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Glacier County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Glacier County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (45th percentile), tornado (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Glacier County's primary hazard at the 85th percentile nationally. For Glacier 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. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 61th percentile nationally means Glacier County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Glacier 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
Glacier County falls 18.2 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 Glacier County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Glacier County, MT?
What types of natural hazards affect Glacier County?
How does Glacier County risk compare to the Montana average?
Is Glacier County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Glacier 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.