Deer Lodge County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Deer Lodge County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.6, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Deer Lodge County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 17.6 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 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 Low risk — $15K in expected annual loss and about 0.34 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $162K in expected annual loss and about 44.99 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Deer Lodge County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Deer Lodge County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 3 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 56 Montana counties, Deer Lodge County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | High | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.34 / yr | $15K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 44.99 / yr | $162K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $204K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.31 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $245K |
| Lightning | Low | 32.49 / yr | $151K |
| Drought | Very Low | 64.51 / yr | $602 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $8K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $30K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $33K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $21K |
| 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
Deer Lodge County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Biological (2), Fire (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2000 | Fire | Wildfires |
| August 2000 | Fire | Mt-Southwestern Zone Two Fire Complex |
| July 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms,Ice Jams, Snow Melt, Flooding |
| February 1996 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams |
| March 1986 | Flood | Heavy Rains, Landslides & Flooding |
| January 1974 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding & Landslides |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Deer Lodge County?
Deer Lodge County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.6 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 Deer Lodge County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (High, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $15K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $162K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Deer Lodge County compare to other Montana counties?
Deer Lodge County ranks #33 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Deer Lodge County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Deer Lodge County since 1974, most often 3 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Deer Lodge County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.