riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Sanders County Disaster Risk

Sanders County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#19

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

62th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Sanders County

Risk Verdict

Sanders County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 47th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Sanders County, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 68th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (62th), tornado (5th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Sanders 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 earthquake 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

Sanders County is significantly riskier than the average county in Montana. Its composite risk score is 14.1 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Sanders County, MT?
Sanders County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th 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 Sanders County?
Sanders County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (91th percentile), earthquake (68th percentile), flooding (62th percentile), tornado (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 91th 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 Sanders County risk compare to the Montana average?
Sanders County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Sanders County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Sanders County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Sanders County's wildfire risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Sanders County is at the 62th 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 Sanders County higher risk than average?
Sanders County's composite risk score of 47th percentile is above the Montana state average of 33th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (91th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Blaine County

Montana

-1.5

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Fergus County

Montana

-2.3

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Rosebud County

Montana

+2.4

Relatively Low

50th percentile

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.

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