Montour County Disaster Risk
Montour County, Pennsylvania
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
15th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#64
of 67 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
38th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 38% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 5% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Montour County, Pennsylvania
Montour enjoys exceptional safety
With a composite risk score of 14.66, Montour County ranks among the safest counties in the entire United States regarding natural disaster exposure. The county's "Very Low" risk rating indicates that major hazards are minimal and manageable with basic precautions. Residents benefit from one of the lowest risk profiles possible.
Pennsylvania's safest county
Montour County's risk score of 14.66 is dramatically lower than Pennsylvania's state average of 67.45—a difference of over 50 points. The county outranks all other Pennsylvania counties by a tremendous margin in this analysis. This exceptional safety reflects Montour's inland location, moderate geography, and climate protected from extreme weather systems.
Significantly safer than all neighbors
Montour County's score of 14.66 vastly exceeds the safety of every neighboring county, including McKean (53.78), Lycoming (79.58), and Mercer (77.74). In fact, Montour ranks safer than every county in this analysis except itself. This remarkable positioning makes Montour one of Pennsylvania's most desirable locations from a natural disaster perspective.
Minimal hazards across all categories
Even Montour County's highest individual risk score—flood exposure at 38.33—remains substantially below state and national averages. Wildfire risk is exceptionally low at 4.64, and tornado exposure ranks minimally at 20.32. Earthquake (33.81) and hurricane (61.20) risks, while present, pose far less concern than in surrounding regions.
Basic preparedness provides security
Montour County residents can focus on essential home maintenance rather than specialized hazard mitigation; standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate coverage for this region's low-risk profile. Maintain gutters and downspouts for the modest flood risk, and trim tree branches near your home routinely. Your location provides exceptional protection—insurance costs should reflect this advantage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Montour County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Montour County
Risk Verdict
At the 15th percentile nationally, Montour County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Even at the 15th percentile, Montour County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Montour County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 38th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (34th percentile), tornado (20th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Montour County ranks at the 61th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 38th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Montour County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Montour County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.
Regional Context
A composite score 52.8 points below the Pennsylvania state average puts Montour County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Montour County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Montour County, PA?
What types of natural hazards affect Montour County?
How does Montour County risk compare to the Pennsylvania average?
Is Montour County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Montour 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.