Stillwater County Disaster Risk
Stillwater County, Montana
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
17th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#35
of 56 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
36th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Stillwater County, Montana
Stillwater ranks as very low risk
Stillwater County's composite risk of 16.76 is exceptionally low, well below national averages, earning a Very Low rating. The county's modest wildfire exposure is its only above-baseline hazard.
Among Montana's safest counties
Stillwater scores 16.76 compared to Montana's average of 33.31, ranking it among the state's lowest-risk counties. All major hazard categories fall significantly below state norms.
Similar safety profile to Sheridan
Stillwater (16.76) and Sheridan County (15.08) are Montana's two lowest-risk counties, reflecting their eastern plains location. Both avoid the wildfire and earthquake exposures that characterize western and southwestern Montana.
Wildfire is only moderate exposure
Wildfire risk of 87.05 is Stillwater's primary concern, though still moderate in absolute terms. Flood (36.23), earthquake (33.65), and tornado (6.62) risks all fall well below county and state benchmarks.
Standard insurance generally adequate
Stillwater's very low composite risk profile means most homeowners can rely on standard policies for adequate protection. Verify wildfire coverage if your property adjoins grasslands; otherwise, your existing homeowners insurance likely covers primary risks.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Stillwater County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Stillwater County
Risk Verdict
At the 17th percentile nationally, Stillwater County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Stillwater County's favorable 17th percentile ranking.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Stillwater County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 36th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (34th percentile), tornado (7th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Stillwater County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Stillwater County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. A secondary flood exposure at the 36th percentile nationally means Stillwater County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Stillwater County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.
Regional Context
A composite score 16.5 points below the Montana state average puts Stillwater County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Stillwater County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Stillwater County, MT?
What types of natural hazards affect Stillwater County?
How does Stillwater County risk compare to the Montana average?
Is Stillwater County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Stillwater County a safe place to live?
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.