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

Teton County Disaster Risk

Teton County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% 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 54% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Teton County, Montana

Teton's risk remains below national average

Teton County's composite risk score of 19.02 with a Very Low rating places it well below the typical U.S. county's exposure to natural disasters. Your risk profile is driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake hazards rather than the high-impact floods or hurricanes seen in other regions.

Mid-tier risk within Montana

At 19.02, Teton's composite risk score is below Montana's state average of 33.31, ranking it among the safer counties statewide. However, your earthquake risk (53.69) stands notably higher than many neighboring counties, reflecting the region's geological character.

Higher earthquake risk than peers

Teton County's earthquake risk of 53.69 significantly exceeds nearby Sweet Grass (34.86) and Toole (29.87), reflecting its proximity to seismic zones. Overall, your total composite risk of 19.02 remains moderate compared to your neighbors along the Rocky Mountain Front.

Wildfire and earthquakes dominate

Wildfire risk at 73.51 and earthquake risk at 53.69 are your primary hazard exposures, while flood (32.19) and tornado (5.03) risks remain minimal. The combination of fire season threats and occasional seismic activity requires dual-focused preparedness planning.

Bundle fire and earthquake coverage

Your homeowner's policy should explicitly cover both wildfire damage and earthquake damage, as standard policies often exclude these perils. Securing these coverages protects your investment against Teton's two most significant natural hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Teton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    74th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    54th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    32th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Teton County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Teton County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 19th percentile. Teton County's 19th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Teton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 54th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (32th percentile), tornado (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 74th percentile nationally for wildfire, Teton 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 54th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Teton County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Teton County is 14.3 composite risk points below the Montana state mean, meaning most other Montana counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Teton 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 Teton County, MT?
Teton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Teton County?
Teton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (74th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile), flooding (32th percentile), tornado (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 74th 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 Teton County risk compare to the Montana average?
Teton County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Teton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Teton County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Teton County's wildfire risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Teton County is at the 32th 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.
Is Teton County a safe place to live?
Teton County's composite risk score of 19th percentile is below the Montana state average of 33th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 74th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.