Gallatin County
Montana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Gallatin County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 81.0, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $66M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 49.27 / yr | $4M |
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.67 / yr | $7M |
| Landslide | Medium | 2.58 / yr | $352K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.06 / yr | $17M |
| Cold Wave | High | 3.57 / yr | $14M |
| Lightning | High | 37.00 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 0.51 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.43 / yr | $16M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.44 / yr | $605K |
| Drought | Low | 70.99 / yr | $78K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $186K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $34K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $259K |
| 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 Gallatin County?
Gallatin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 81.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gallatin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $4M EAL), Avalanche (Very High, $7M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $352K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gallatin County compare to other Montana counties?
Gallatin County ranks #4 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Gallatin County's $66M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.