Broadwater County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Broadwater County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.7, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Broadwater County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 17.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $47K in expected annual loss and about 0.72 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Medium risk — $913K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Broadwater County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Broadwater County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 3 for fire events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (straight-line winds), declared in April 2026.
Among 56 Montana counties, Broadwater County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.72 / yr | $47K |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $913K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.02 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 33.11 / yr | $491K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $192K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 30.71 / yr | $106K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.00 / yr | $990K |
| Drought | Very Low | 88.75 / yr | $24K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.76 / yr | $55K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.48 / yr | $13K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $19K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.51 / yr | $24K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Broadwater County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Fire (3), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2024 | Fire | Horse Gulch Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2014 | Flood | Ice Jams and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2000 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2000 | Fire | Mt - Central Zone 3b Fire Complex |
| July 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms,Ice Jams, Snow Melt, Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 12 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Broadwater County?
Broadwater County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Broadwater County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $47K EAL), Avalanche (Medium, $913K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Broadwater County compare to other Montana counties?
Broadwater County ranks #32 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Broadwater County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Broadwater County since 1975, most often 3 for fire events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds, declared in April 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. Broadwater County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.