Big Horn County
Montana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Big Horn County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.2, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 0.83 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 24.45 / yr | $212K |
| Lightning | High | 32.42 / yr | $493K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.15 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 5.18 / yr | $5K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.68 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Low | 1.58 / yr | $164K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $86K |
| Drought | Low | 74.59 / yr | $34K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $101 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.02 / yr | $103K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $54K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Big Horn County?
Big Horn County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Big Horn County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $212K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Big Horn County compare to other Montana counties?
Big Horn County ranks #13 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Big Horn County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.