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

Judith Basin County Disaster Risk

Judith Basin County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#44

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Judith Basin County, Montana

Judith Basin enjoys very low risk

Judith Basin County's composite risk score of 5.50 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 5.50, Judith Basin County ranks well below Montana's state average of 33.31. Your county is one of the more resilient areas in Montana for overall natural disaster risk.

Safest in central Montana region

Judith Basin's risk score of 5.50 is lower than neighboring Garfield (2.48), Golden Valley (0.99), and Granite (9.38), positioning it among the safest in central Montana. Your county enjoys strong protection across the region.

Wildfire is primary concern

Wildfire risk (63.68) is your county's main hazard, followed by tornado risk (7.35) and earthquake risk (18.77). Flood risk (12.63) remains minimal, reflecting the semi-arid landscape.

Focus on wildfire preparedness

Ensure your homeowner's policy covers wildfire and maintain defensible space around your property. Your low overall risk profile means standard homeowner's insurance typically provides adequate protection across hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Judith Basin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    19th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    13th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Judith Basin County

Risk Verdict

Judith Basin County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 6th percentile nationally. A 6th percentile score positions Judith Basin County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Judith Basin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 19th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (13th percentile), tornado (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 64th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Judith Basin County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 19th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Judith Basin County residents.

Regional Context

Judith Basin County falls 27.8 points below Montana's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Judith Basin 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 Judith Basin County, MT?
Judith Basin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th 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 Judith Basin County?
Judith Basin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (64th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), flooding (13th percentile), tornado (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 64th 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 Judith Basin County risk compare to the Montana average?
Judith Basin County's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Judith Basin County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Judith Basin County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Judith Basin County's wildfire risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Judith Basin County is at the 13th 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 Judith Basin County a safe place to live?
Judith Basin County's composite risk score of 6th 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 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Fallon County

Montana

-0.1

Very Low

5th percentile

McCone County

Montana

-0.3

Very Low

5th percentile

Liberty County

Montana

+0.8

Very Low

6th 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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