Daniels County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Daniels County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.8, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Daniels County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 1.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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 Daniels County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 21.06 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $30K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $50K in expected annual loss and about 18.48 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Daniels County has a very low 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Daniels County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1986, including 4 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in October 2023.
Among 56 Montana counties, Daniels County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Low | 21.06 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.48 / yr | $50K |
| Drought | Very Low | 31.87 / yr | $28K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.34 / yr | $61K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.74 / yr | $17K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $23 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $56K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.13 / yr | $47K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $670K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 25.53 / yr | $10K |
| Avalanche | 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 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Daniels County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1986, most recently Flooding in October 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Biological (2), Severe Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| August 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2019 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| March 1986 | Flood | Heavy Rains, Landslides & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Daniels County?
Daniels County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Daniels County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $30K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $50K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Daniels County compare to other Montana counties?
Daniels County ranks #52 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Daniels County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Daniels County since 1986, most often 4 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Flooding, declared in October 2023.
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. Daniels County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.