riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Lewis and Clark County Disaster Risk

Lewis and Clark County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

71th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#7

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

65th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Lewis and Clark County

Risk Verdict

Lewis and Clark County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 71th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Lewis and Clark County, scoring in the 93th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 87th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (65th), tornado (9th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Lewis and Clark County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Lewis and Clark County is significantly riskier than the average county in Montana. Its composite risk score is 37.9 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
Lewis and Clark County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 71th 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 Lewis and Clark County?
Lewis and Clark County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (93th percentile), earthquake (87th percentile), flooding (65th percentile), tornado (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 93th 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 Lewis and Clark County risk compare to the Montana average?
Lewis and Clark County's composite risk percentile is 71th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lewis and Clark County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Lewis and Clark County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lewis and Clark County's wildfire risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lewis and Clark County is at the 65th 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.
Why is Lewis and Clark County higher risk than average?
Lewis and Clark County's composite risk score of 71th percentile is above the Montana state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (93th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lake County

Montana

-3.6

Relatively Low

68th percentile

Park County

Montana

-5.0

Relatively Low

66th percentile

Missoula County

Montana

+5.8

Relatively Low

77th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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