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

McCone County Disaster Risk

McCone County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#46

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 49% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in McCone County, Montana

McCone County enjoys minimal disaster risk

McCone County's composite risk score of 5.25 places it in the very low category, far below both national and state averages. This county represents one of Montana's safest areas from natural disaster exposure.

Among Montana's lowest-risk counties

At 5.25, McCone County ranks well below Montana's 33.31 state average, positioning it among the state's least hazard-exposed areas. Only a handful of Montana counties show comparably low composite risk scores.

Comparable safety to Liberty County

McCone County's score of 5.25 nearly matches Liberty County at 6.30, making both counties among the state's safest regions. The northeastern Montana area benefits from significantly lower disaster exposure than most of the state.

Wildfire presents the main exposure

Wildfire risk at 48.57 represents McCone County's highest hazard score, though this remains below state averages for fire exposure. All other hazards score below 11, with tornado at 10.85 and earthquake at 9.99.

Standard insurance provides good protection

McCone County's minimal risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically offers adequate coverage for most properties in the county. Residents should still verify wildfire coverage and review their policy limits periodically as property values change.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in McCone County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    49th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    11th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    10th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: McCone County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, McCone County ranks at the 5th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at McCone County's favorable 5th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is McCone County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 49th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 11th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (10th percentile), flood (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

McCone County sits at the 49th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for McCone County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's tornado exposure at the 11th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In McCone County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 28.1 points below the Montana state average, McCone County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for McCone 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 McCone County, MT?
McCone County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th 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 McCone County?
McCone County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (49th percentile), tornado (11th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile), flooding (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 49th 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 McCone County risk compare to the Montana average?
McCone County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means McCone County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is McCone County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, McCone County's wildfire risk is at the 49th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, McCone 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 McCone County a safe place to live?
McCone County's composite risk score of 5th 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 49th 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.