Glacier County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Glacier County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.5, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Glacier County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 51.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 51st national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Glacier County's expected losses come from cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 8.99 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $249K in expected annual loss and about 42.67 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $412K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Glacier County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Glacier County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 3 for severe storm 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, Glacier County ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 8.99 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | High | 42.67 / yr | $249K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $412K |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $457K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.51 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $275K |
| Lightning | Low | 18.28 / yr | $149K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.29 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Low | 47.44 / yr | $29K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.51 / yr | $26K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $68K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Glacier County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| July 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2000 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 1986 | Flood | Heavy Rains, Landslides & Flooding |
| August 1977 | Drought | Drought |
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 Glacier County?
Glacier County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Glacier County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $249K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $412K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Glacier County compare to other Montana counties?
Glacier County ranks #16 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Glacier County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Glacier County since 1974, most often 3 for severe storm 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. Glacier County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.