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

Montague County Disaster Risk

Montague County, Texas

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

55th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#126

of 254 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

31th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Montague County, Texas

Montague's Risk: Below National Average

Montague County scores 54.87 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category and above Texas's state average of 49.00. This means residents face lower disaster exposure than the typical American county, though certain hazards still warrant preparation.

Mid-Range Risk Among Texas Counties

Among Texas's 254 counties, Montague ranks in the middle tier for natural disaster risk. While the county scores higher than several rural neighbors, it remains well below the highest-risk counties in the state, particularly those along the coast and in tornado alley.

Lower Risk Than Surrounding Counties

Montague's composite score of 54.87 sits below neighboring Cooke County and well below the high-risk Dallas-Fort Worth corridor to its south. The county's risk profile is most similar to rural North Texas neighbors with comparable exposure to wildfire and tornado activity.

Wildfire and Tornado Are Top Threats

Montague faces wildfire risk at 89.76—among the highest in the county—and tornado risk at 77.58, creating significant springtime and summer hazards for residents. Flood risk remains moderate at 30.73, while earthquake and hurricane risks are substantially lower at 36.04 and 38.80 respectively.

Prepare for Wind and Fire Damage

Montague residents should prioritize homeowners insurance that covers windstorm damage from tornadoes and wildfire-related losses, particularly those in rural or forested areas. Consider a separate flood policy if your property sits in a flood-prone zone, and maintain defensible space around your home by clearing brush and dead trees.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Montague County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    39th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Montague County

Risk Verdict

Montague County ranks at the 55th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Montague County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (39th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), flood (31th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Montague County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Montague County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 78th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Montague 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

Compared to other Texas counties, Montague County runs 5.9 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Montague 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 Montague County, TX?
Montague County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 55th 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 Montague County?
Montague County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (90th percentile), tornado (78th percentile), hurricane (39th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), flooding (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 90th 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 Montague County risk compare to the Texas average?
Montague County's composite risk percentile is 55th, compared to the Texas state average of 49th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Montague County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Texas.
Is Montague County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Montague County's wildfire risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Montague County is at the 31th 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.
Why is Montague County higher risk than average?
Montague County's composite risk score of 55th percentile is above the Texas state average of 49th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (90th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.