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

Musselshell County Disaster Risk

Musselshell County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

17th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#34

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

16th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Musselshell County, Montana

Musselshell ranks well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 17.05, Musselshell County carries a Very Low natural disaster risk—well below the national average. This score puts the county in the safest tier for communities across the United States.

One of Montana's safest counties

Musselshell ranks among Montana's lowest-risk counties with a score of 17.05, compared to the state average of 33.31. The county's risk profile is roughly half the typical Montana county's exposure.

Safer than surrounding counties

Musselshell's risk score of 17.05 is significantly lower than neighboring Park County (66.28) and Phillips County (34.51). Among its regional peers, Musselshell offers one of the most stable natural hazard environments.

Wildfire poses the primary concern

Wildfire risk dominates Musselshell's hazard profile at 91.92, though tornado (8.11) and earthquake (20.71) risks remain low. The county's relatively dry landscape and grasslands create conditions for wildfire activity, making summer fire season the key seasonal threat.

Prioritize wildfire coverage and preparation

Property owners in Musselshell should ensure homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage and maintain defensible space around structures. Review your policy annually before fire season and keep gutters clear of debris to reduce ember vulnerability.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Musselshell County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    92th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    21th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    16th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Musselshell County

Risk Verdict

Musselshell County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 17th percentile nationally. A 17th percentile score positions Musselshell County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Musselshell County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 21th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (16th percentile), tornado (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Musselshell County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 92th percentile nationally. Musselshell 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. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 21th percentile nationally means Musselshell County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Musselshell 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 Musselshell County's score by 16.3 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Musselshell 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 Musselshell County, MT?
Musselshell County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 17th 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 Musselshell County?
Musselshell County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (92th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile), flooding (16th percentile), tornado (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 92th 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 Musselshell County risk compare to the Montana average?
Musselshell County's composite risk percentile is 17th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Musselshell County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Musselshell County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Musselshell County's wildfire risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Musselshell County is at the 16th 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 Musselshell County a safe place to live?
Musselshell County's composite risk score of 17th 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 92th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Stillwater County

Montana

-0.3

Very Low

17th percentile

Deer Lodge County

Montana

+0.5

Very Low

18th percentile

Broadwater County

Montana

+0.6

Very Low

18th 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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