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 Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Phillips County, Montana
Phillips County risk mirrors national norms
Phillips County's composite risk score of 34.51 ranks as Very Low and aligns closely with typical U.S. communities. The county's exposure profile is moderate compared to national averages, representing manageable disaster risk.
Slightly above Montana's average exposure
Phillips County's score of 34.51 exceeds Montana's state average of 33.31 by just 3%, placing it near the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county represents typical Montana-level hazard exposure for most communities.
Moderate risk in its region
Phillips County's score of 34.51 falls between Musselshell County (17.05) to the south and the higher-risk mountainous counties. It ranks more hazardous than Petroleum County (1.30) but considerably safer than Park County (66.28).
Flooding and wildfire create primary hazards
Phillips County faces moderate flood risk (39.76) and elevated wildfire risk (67.75), while tornado (7.76) and earthquake (15.08) risks remain low. The county's river valleys and grasslands create twin vulnerabilities during wet and fire seasons.
Standard coverage with wildfire attention
Homeowners should verify flood and wildfire coverage within their policies, particularly for properties near waterways or grassland margins. Review coverage before spring runoff and fire season to ensure adequate protection for both hazards.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Phillips County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Phillips County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Phillips County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 35th percentile. The 35th percentile national ranking is one lens; Phillips County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Phillips County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (15th percentile), tornado (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 68th percentile nationally for wildfire, Phillips County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary flood exposure at the 40th percentile nationally means Phillips County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Phillips County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
Phillips County's composite risk score is within 1.2 points of the Montana county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Phillips County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Phillips County, MT?
What types of natural hazards affect Phillips County?
How does Phillips County risk compare to the Montana average?
Is Phillips County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Phillips 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.