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

Roosevelt County Disaster Risk

Roosevelt County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

54th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

27th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 27% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Roosevelt County, Montana

Roosevelt exceeds U.S. average risk

Roosevelt County's composite risk of 54.45 stands above national averages, reflecting elevated wildfire and tornado exposure. The Relatively Low rating indicates these hazards remain manageable within the county's context.

Mid-range risk among Montana peers

Roosevelt scores 54.45 compared to Montana's average of 33.31, positioning it as a moderate-risk county statewide. Wildfire and tornado vulnerabilities drive this elevation above the state norm.

Similar profile to Richland County

Roosevelt (54.45) and neighboring Richland County (52.70) share comparable risk profiles, with wildfire as the dominant threat. Roosevelt's tornado risk of 32.09 edges slightly higher than Richland's 27.00.

Wildfire and tornado are primary threats

Wildfire risk of 72.84 and tornado risk of 32.09 represent Roosevelt's core exposures, reflecting the county's northern plains geography. Flood risk of 26.62 and earthquake risk of 15.78 present lower but notable secondary hazards.

Bundle wildfire and storm coverage

Homeowners should ensure their policies cover wildfire damage and include wind/hail protection for tornado-season events. Check that replacement costs reflect current building prices in Roosevelt County, and consider annual reviews.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Roosevelt County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    32th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    27th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Roosevelt County

Risk Verdict

Roosevelt County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 54th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Roosevelt County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Roosevelt County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 32th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (27th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 73th percentile nationally for wildfire, Roosevelt 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 32th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. 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 Roosevelt County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

A composite score 21.1 points above the Montana state average puts Roosevelt County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt County, MT?
Roosevelt County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 54th 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 Roosevelt County?
Roosevelt County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (73th percentile), tornado (32th percentile), flooding (27th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 73th 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 Roosevelt County risk compare to the Montana average?
Roosevelt County's composite risk percentile is 54th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Roosevelt County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Roosevelt County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Roosevelt County's wildfire risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Roosevelt County is at the 27th 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 Roosevelt County higher risk than average?
Roosevelt County's composite risk score of 54th percentile is above the Montana state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (73th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.