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

Wibaux County Disaster Risk

Wibaux County, Montana

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#38

of 56 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wibaux County, Montana

Wibaux County maintains low national risk

Wibaux County's composite risk score of 11.07 with a Very Low rating sits well below the average U.S. county's natural disaster exposure. Your county benefits from a location that minimizes flooding, earthquake, and major weather hazards.

Below-average risk within Montana

At 11.07, Wibaux's composite risk falls significantly short of Montana's state average of 33.31, positioning your county among the state's safer regions. This favorable standing holds true across most hazard categories except wildfire.

Slightly riskier than immediate neighbors

Wibaux's 11.07 score exceeds nearby Wheatland (3.50) but trails Treasure (0.51) and sits well below Valley (35.94), placing it in the lower-middle range of regional risk. Tornado risk at 8.65 is your county's distinction compared to some neighbors.

Wildfire and tornado concerns

Wildfire risk at 41.86 and tornado risk at 8.65 represent Wibaux's primary exposures, while flood (3.69) and earthquake (2.00) risks are negligible. Your eastern Montana location leaves you relatively exposed to fire season but protected from seismic activity.

Ensure wildfire and wind coverage

Your homeowner's policy should explicitly cover wildfire damage and confirm strong wind/hail protection for tornado-related events. These two coverage areas address Wibaux County's primary natural disaster risks.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wibaux County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    42th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    9th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    4th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Wibaux County

Risk Verdict

At the 11th percentile nationally, Wibaux County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 11th percentile nationally, Wibaux County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Wibaux County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 42th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 9th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (4th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wibaux County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 42th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Wibaux County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 9th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Wibaux 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 22.2 points below the Montana state average puts Wibaux County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Wibaux 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 Wibaux County, MT?
Wibaux County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Wibaux County?
Wibaux County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (42th percentile), tornado (9th percentile), flooding (4th percentile), earthquake (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 42th 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 Wibaux County risk compare to the Montana average?
Wibaux County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the Montana state average of 33th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wibaux County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Montana.
Is Wibaux County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Wibaux County's wildfire risk is at the 42th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Wibaux County is at the 4th 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 Wibaux County a safe place to live?
Wibaux County's composite risk score of 11th 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 42th 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.