Valley County Disaster Risk
Valley County, Montana
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
36th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#27
of 56 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
34th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 15% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 23% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Valley County, Montana
Valley County edges above national average
Valley County's composite risk score of 35.94 with a Very Low rating slightly exceeds the typical U.S. county's natural disaster risk profile. Your exposure is driven primarily by flood risk (34.22) and moderate wildfire concerns, typical of northeastern Montana's climate patterns.
Valley ranks near Montana's midpoint
At 35.94, Valley County's composite risk exceeds Montana's state average of 33.31 by just 2.63 points, placing it slightly above the middle tier of the state's counties. This positions Valley as a moderate-risk county within Montana's broader risk landscape.
Highest risk in the immediate region
Valley's 35.94 score substantially exceeds nearby Wibaux (11.07) and Wheatland (3.50), making it notably riskier than surrounding counties. Your flood risk of 34.22 is the primary driver of this higher exposure compared to drier neighboring areas.
Flood dominates, wildfire secondary
Flood risk at 34.22 is your county's primary hazard, driven by proximity to the Missouri River and seasonal runoff patterns. Wildfire exposure at 49.46 represents your second concern, while tornado (14.63) and earthquake (23.00) risks remain moderate.
Flood insurance is essential
Your flood risk of 34.22 makes dedicated flood insurance critical—standard homeowner's policies exclude flood damage entirely. Coupled with comprehensive wildfire coverage, these two policies provide robust protection against Valley County's primary natural disaster exposures.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Valley County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Valley County
Risk Verdict
Valley County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 36th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 36th percentile score positions Valley County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Valley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 49th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 34th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (23th percentile), tornado (15th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Valley County's primary hazard at the 49th percentile nationally. For Valley County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 34th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Valley County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
At 2.6 points from the Montana county mean, Valley County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.
Is your household prepared for Valley County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Valley County, MT?
What types of natural hazards affect Valley County?
How does Valley County risk compare to the Montana average?
Is Valley County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Valley 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.