Rosebud County Disaster Risk
Rosebud County, Montana
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
50th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#18
of 56 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
57th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 57% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 10% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 30% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Rosebud County, Montana
Rosebud's risk edges above U.S. baseline
Rosebud County scores 49.71 on the composite risk scale, moderately above national averages, with a Relatively Low rating. Wildfire exposure dominates, while earthquake risk remains secondary.
Moderate risk within Montana
Rosebud's 49.71 score exceeds Montana's average of 33.31, reflecting greater-than-typical wildfire vulnerability. The county ranks in the moderate tier of Montana's hazard landscape.
Higher wildfire risk than eastern peers
Rosebud (49.71) faces notably higher composite risk than Richland County (52.70) and Roosevelt County (54.45) when considering overall profiles, though its wildfire risk of 95.01 is among the most extreme. This reflects Rosebud's position in Montana's wildland interface.
Wildfire dominates, flood secondary
Wildfire risk at 95.01 is Rosebud's overwhelming hazard, reflecting forested terrain and seasonal fire activity. Flood risk of 56.52 represents a distant second concern, while tornado and earthquake risks remain minimal.
Wildfire insurance is essential
Verify that your homeowners policy includes wildfire coverage or secure a separate endorsement—standard policies often exclude or limit this risk. Maintain defensible space around your home and keep gutters clear to reduce ignition vulnerability.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Rosebud County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Rosebud County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 50th, Rosebud County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Being ranked at the 50th percentile nationally is an advantage for Rosebud County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Rosebud County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (30th percentile), tornado (10th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 95th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Rosebud County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 57th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Rosebud County residents.
Regional Context
At 16.4 points above the Montana state average, Rosebud County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Montana county.
Is your household prepared for Rosebud County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Rosebud County, MT?
What types of natural hazards affect Rosebud County?
How does Rosebud County risk compare to the Montana average?
Is Rosebud County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Rosebud 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.