Beaverhead County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 43th
Beaverhead County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 42.9, 43th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Beaverhead County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 42.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 43rd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Beaverhead County's expected losses come from avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $60K in expected annual loss and about 3.66 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $220K in expected annual loss and about 36.80 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Beaverhead County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Beaverhead County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 2000, including 2 for biological events and 2 for fire events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 56 Montana counties, Beaverhead County ranks #22 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | High | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 3.66 / yr | $60K |
| Winter Weather | High | 36.80 / yr | $220K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.04 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $480K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.48 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 34.80 / yr | $288K |
| Drought | Low | 120.57 / yr | $44K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.18 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $30K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $33K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $24K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $4K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Beaverhead County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Fire (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2000 | Fire | Wildfires |
| August 2000 | Fire | Mt - Central Zone 3c Fire Complex |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Beaverhead County?
Beaverhead County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 42.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 43th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Beaverhead County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (High, $2M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $60K EAL), Winter Weather (High, $220K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Beaverhead County compare to other Montana counties?
Beaverhead County ranks #22 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Beaverhead County had?
FEMA records 5 federal disaster declarations for Beaverhead County since 2000, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for fire events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Beaverhead County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.