Missoula County Disaster Risk
Missoula County, Montana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
77th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#6
of 56 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
69th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Missoula County, Montana
Missoula County faces elevated disaster risk
Missoula County's composite risk score of 77.04 ranks it as relatively low nationally but substantially above average for natural hazard exposure. The score reflects significant vulnerabilities across multiple hazard types, particularly wildfire and earthquake.
Among Montana's highest-risk counties
At 77.04, Missoula County dramatically exceeds Montana's state average of 33.31, placing it among the state's most hazard-exposed areas. Only Lewis and Clark County approaches Missoula's elevated composite risk score.
Riskiest county in its region
Missoula County's score of 77.04 substantially exceeds neighboring Lincoln (64.28), Madison (41.03), Mineral (7.35), and all other regional peers. The county bears the highest disaster risk exposure in western Montana.
Wildfire and earthquake drive risk profile
Wildfire risk reaches 95.77 in Missoula County—among Montana's highest—while earthquake risk at 91.35 reflects the county's location in a seismically active region. Flood risk at 68.64 adds meaningful exposure, particularly for riverside properties and development zones.
Comprehensive coverage is critical
Missoula County residents must ensure wildfire damage is explicitly covered in their homeowners policy given the 95.77 risk score, as many standard policies exclude it. Adding earthquake coverage is equally essential given the 91.35 score; review flood risk for your specific property location and consider additional protection if needed.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Missoula County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Missoula County
Risk Verdict
At the 77th percentile nationally, Missoula County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Missoula County.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Missoula County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 91th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (69th percentile), tornado (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Missoula County's primary hazard at the 96th percentile nationally. For Missoula County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 91th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Missoula County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Missoula County falls 43.7 points above Montana's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Missoula County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Missoula County, MT?
What types of natural hazards affect Missoula County?
How does Missoula County risk compare to the Montana average?
Is Missoula County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Missoula County higher risk than average?
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.