Montgomery County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Montgomery County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.0, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Montgomery County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 41.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 41st national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Montgomery County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.70 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $179K in expected annual loss and about 9.89 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $637K in expected annual loss and about 3.83 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 38K.
Beyond physical exposure, Montgomery County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Montgomery County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Montgomery County ranks #50 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.70 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.89 / yr | $179K |
| Hail | Low | 3.83 / yr | $637K |
| Drought | Medium | 1.92 / yr | $587K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.63 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $852K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $2K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.42 / yr | $457K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.40 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.74 / yr | $76K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $16K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.02 / yr | $107K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Montgomery County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Montgomery County?
Montgomery County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montgomery County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $179K EAL), Hail (Low, $637K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montgomery County compare to other Indiana counties?
Montgomery County ranks #50 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Montgomery County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Montgomery County since 1965, most often 10 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Montgomery County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.