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

Liberty County Disaster Risk

Liberty County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

12th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% 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 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Liberty County, Montana

Liberty County has minimal disaster risk

Liberty County's composite risk score of 6.30 places it firmly in the very low category, well below both national and state averages. This county experiences among the lowest natural disaster exposure in Montana.

Montana's safest counties include Liberty

At 6.30, Liberty County's score ranks substantially below Montana's 33.31 average, making it one of the state's least hazard-prone areas. Only a handful of Montana counties present lower composite risk.

Safest county in its region

Liberty County's score of 6.30 makes it safer than all neighboring counties, including McCone (5.25), though that margin is slim. The entire north-central region of Montana benefits from relatively low disaster risk.

Wildfire presents the clearest exposure

Wildfire risk at 17.08 represents Liberty County's highest hazard exposure, though this remains substantially below state averages for fire risk. All other hazard categories score below 16, with earthquake at 15.39 and flood at 11.86.

Standard homeowners insurance usually sufficient

Liberty County's minimal risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for most properties. Residents should still verify coverage for wildfire and review policy limits every few years as property values change.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Liberty County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    17th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    15th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    12th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Liberty County

Risk Verdict

Liberty County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 6th percentile nationally. The 6th percentile national ranking is one lens; Liberty County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Liberty County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 17th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 15th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (12th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Liberty County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 17th percentile nationally. Liberty 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 15th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Liberty 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 Liberty County's score by 27.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Liberty 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 Liberty County, MT?
Liberty 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 Liberty County?
Liberty County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (17th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile), flooding (12th percentile), tornado (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 17th 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 Liberty County risk compare to the Montana average?
Liberty 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 Liberty County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Liberty County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Liberty County's wildfire risk is at the 17th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Liberty County is at the 12th 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 Liberty County a safe place to live?
Liberty 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 17th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Judith Basin County

Montana

-0.8

Very Low

6th percentile

Fallon County

Montana

-0.9

Very Low

5th percentile

McCone County

Montana

-1.0

Very Low

5th 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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