Sweet Grass County Disaster Risk
Sweet Grass County, Montana
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
8th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#41
of 56 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
20th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 35% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sweet Grass County, Montana
Sweet Grass sits well below national risk
With a composite risk score of 8.14 and a Very Low rating, Sweet Grass County faces significantly less natural disaster risk than the average U.S. county. Your exposure to major hazards is substantially below the national median, making this one of Montana's safer counties for natural disaster preparedness.
Among Montana's least risky counties
Sweet Grass ranks favorably within Montana, where the state average composite risk score is 33.31—more than four times higher than your county's 8.14. This places Sweet Grass in the lower tier of risk across the state's 56 counties.
Safer than nearby counties
Compared to neighboring Wheatland County (3.50) and Teton County (19.02), Sweet Grass holds a middle ground with its 8.14 score. Your risk profile is comparable to other central Montana counties, though wildfire exposure varies more significantly across the region.
Wildfire is your main concern
Wildfire risk dominates in Sweet Grass at 88.10, far outpacing other hazards like earthquake risk (34.86) and flood risk (19.69). While your overall composite risk remains low, preparation for wildfire season should be your primary focus for home and property protection.
Prioritize wildfire insurance coverage
Even with low overall risk, your wildfire exposure of 88.10 justifies reviewing your homeowner's policy to ensure adequate coverage for fire damage. Consider creating defensible space around your home and having an evacuation plan ready during Montana's fire season.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sweet Grass County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sweet Grass County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Sweet Grass County ranks at the 8th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. At the 8th percentile, Sweet Grass County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Sweet Grass County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (20th percentile), tornado (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Sweet Grass County sits at the 88th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Sweet Grass County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's earthquake exposure at the 35th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Sweet Grass County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
At 25.2 points below the Montana state average, Sweet Grass County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Sweet Grass County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sweet Grass County, MT?
What types of natural hazards affect Sweet Grass County?
How does Sweet Grass County risk compare to the Montana average?
Is Sweet Grass County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Sweet Grass 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.