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

Granite County Disaster Risk

Granite County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

9th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#40

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

11th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Granite County, Montana

Granite County stays well below average

Granite County's composite risk score of 9.38 is far below the national average and places it in the very low risk category. Your county experiences minimal natural disaster exposure compared to most American counties.

Among Montana's safer counties

At 9.38, Granite County ranks well below Montana's state average of 33.31. Your county is one of the better-protected areas in the state for overall natural disaster risk.

Safer than Glacier and Jefferson

Granite's risk score of 9.38 is lower than nearby Glacier (51.49) and Jefferson (21.56), making it one of the safest in the region. You have greater overall resilience than most neighboring counties.

Wildfire is your primary hazard

Wildfire risk (88.64) towers above all other hazards in Granite County, reflecting the challenging fire season in Montana's forested areas. Earthquake risk (37.69) is secondary, while flood (11.13) and tornado (2.74) risks remain low.

Prioritize wildfire insurance protection

Ensure your homeowner's policy includes wildfire coverage and maintain defensible space around your home. Given the steep wildfire risk, consider additional discussion with your agent about coverage limits and deductibles.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Granite County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    38th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    11th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Granite County

Risk Verdict

At the 9th percentile nationally, Granite County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Granite County's 9th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Granite County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 38th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (11th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Granite County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Granite County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 38th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Granite 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 23.9 points below the Montana state average puts Granite County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Granite 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 Granite County, MT?
Granite County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 9th 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 Granite County?
Granite County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (89th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), flooding (11th percentile), tornado (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 89th 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 Granite County risk compare to the Montana average?
Granite County's composite risk percentile is 9th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Granite County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Granite County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Granite County's wildfire risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Granite County is at the 11th 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 Granite County a safe place to live?
Granite County's composite risk score of 9th 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 89th 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.