Daniels County

Montana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

1.8

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

Expected Annual Loss $2M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 2K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Cold Wave
Low $1M/yr
Wildfire
Very Low $30K/yr
Winter Weather
Low $50K/yr

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

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.

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.