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

Meagher County Disaster Risk

Meagher County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#50

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

10th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Meagher County, Montana

Meagher County has extremely low disaster risk

Meagher County's composite risk score of 2.80 represents among the lowest in the nation, placing it far below both national and state averages. The county experiences minimal exposure to natural disaster hazards.

Montana's safest county overall

At 2.80, Meagher County ranks as one of Montana's lowest-risk areas, significantly below the state average of 33.31. Few Montana counties offer comparable protection from natural disaster exposure.

Safest in the central region

Meagher County's score of 2.80 represents the lowest risk among all regional neighbors, including Madison (41.03), Lewis and Clark (71.25), and Missoula (77.04). Central Montana's mountain terrain paradoxically creates pockets of exceptional safety.

Wildfire is the only notable exposure

Wildfire risk at 68.42 represents Meagher County's primary hazard concern, though all other risks score below 31. Earthquake exposure reaches 30.60, while flood and tornado risks remain minimal at 9.70 and 5.22 respectively.

Basic coverage meets most needs

Meagher County's exceptionally low composite risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides comprehensive protection for county residents. Verify that your policy includes wildfire coverage given the 68.42 score, and review coverage limits during routine policy check-ins.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Meagher County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    31th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    10th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Meagher County

Risk Verdict

Meagher County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 3th percentile nationally. Meagher County's 3th 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 Meagher County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 31th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (10th percentile), tornado (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 68th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Meagher 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. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 31th percentile nationally means Meagher County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Meagher County residents.

Regional Context

Meagher County falls 30.5 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 Meagher 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 Meagher County, MT?
Meagher County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Meagher County?
Meagher County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (68th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile), flooding (10th percentile), tornado (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 68th 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 Meagher County risk compare to the Montana average?
Meagher County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Meagher County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Meagher County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Meagher County's wildfire risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Meagher County is at the 10th 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 Meagher County a safe place to live?
Meagher County's composite risk score of 3th 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 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Garfield County

Montana

-0.3

Very Low

2th percentile

Wheatland County

Montana

+0.7

Very Low

3th percentile

Daniels County

Montana

-1.0

Very Low

2th 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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