Phillips County Disaster Risk

Phillips County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

35th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#28

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

40th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% 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 8% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Phillips County

Risk Verdict

Phillips County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 35th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Phillips County, scoring in the 68th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 40th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (15th), tornado (8th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Phillips County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Phillips County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Montana. Its composite risk score is within 1.2 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Montana as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Phillips County, MT?
Phillips County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 35th 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 Phillips County?
Phillips County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (68th percentile), flooding (40th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile), tornado (8th 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 Phillips County risk compare to the Montana average?
Phillips County's composite risk percentile is 35th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Phillips County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Phillips County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Phillips County's wildfire risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Phillips County is at the 40th 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.
Why is Phillips County higher risk than average?
Phillips County's composite risk score of 35th percentile is above the Montana state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (68th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.