Natural Disaster Risk — ZIP Code 59079

Natural Hazard Profile: ZIP 59079, Montana

ZIP 59079 covers part of the Shepherd area, in the northern tier of the continental United States. The surrounding region experiences cold winters, dry summers, and extreme temperature swings, with rapid chinook wind events and spring flooding shaping the natural hazards that residents of this ZIP code face. Risk scores here are derived from FEMA data for the encompassing county.

FEMA rates ZIP 59079's composite natural disaster risk at 6.7 out of 10 — high risk. Severe winter storms top the local risk profile, bringing blizzard conditions, ice storms, and extreme cold that pose health risks and cause extensive property and infrastructure damage. Residents should also account for cold wave and wildfire risk in their preparedness planning.

ZIP 59079's risk score, considerably above the 4.9/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA, the highest-scoring are winter, cold wave, and wildfire. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, ZIP 59079 residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for winter and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.