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

Golden Valley County Disaster Risk

Golden Valley County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

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 4% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Golden Valley County, Montana

Golden Valley is exceptionally safe

With a composite risk score of just 0.99, Golden Valley County ranks among the safest counties in the entire nation. Your county experiences very low natural disaster risk across all hazard types.

Montana's safest county overall

Golden Valley's composite score of 0.99 is the lowest in Montana, far below the state average of 33.31. Your county represents the gold standard for natural disaster resilience in the state.

Safest in its region by far

Golden Valley (0.99) is significantly safer than neighboring Garfield (2.48), Granite (9.38), and Judith Basin (5.50). Your county enjoys exceptional protection compared to all surrounding counties.

Wildfire poses modest regional concern

Wildfire risk (57.44) is your county's most significant hazard, though it remains below state and national averages. Flood (5.60), earthquake (11.42), and tornado (3.82) risks all stay well below typical thresholds.

Maintain basic wildfire protection

Confirm your homeowner's policy covers wildfire, and maintain defensible space around structures as a precaution. Your low overall risk means standard homeowner's insurance typically provides adequate protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Golden Valley County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    11th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    6th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Golden Valley County

Risk Verdict

Golden Valley County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 1th percentile nationally. At the 1th percentile, Golden Valley County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Golden Valley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 11th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (6th percentile), tornado (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Golden Valley County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 57th percentile nationally. Golden Valley County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. The county's earthquake exposure at the 11th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. For Golden Valley County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Montana county average exceeds Golden Valley County's score by 32.3 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Golden Valley 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 Golden Valley County, MT?
Golden Valley County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Golden Valley County?
Golden Valley County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (57th percentile), earthquake (11th percentile), flooding (6th percentile), tornado (4th 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 Golden Valley County risk compare to the Montana average?
Golden Valley County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Golden Valley County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Golden Valley County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Golden Valley County's wildfire risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Golden Valley 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 Golden Valley County a safe place to live?
Golden Valley County's composite risk score of 1th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Petroleum County

Montana

+0.3

Very Low

1th percentile

Treasure County

Montana

-0.5

Very Low

1th percentile

Carter County

Montana

+0.8

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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