Meagher County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Meagher County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.8, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide 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
Overall natural disaster risk in Meagher County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 2.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $61K in expected annual loss and about 2.72 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $140K 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 42.24 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Meagher County has a medium 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: Meagher County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1975, 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, Meagher County ranks #50 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 2.72 / yr | $61K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $140K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 42.24 / yr | $50K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.42 / yr | $521K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $73K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $48 |
| Drought | Very Low | 85.63 / yr | $4K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 33.14 / yr | $61K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.06 / yr | $39K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $19K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.60 / yr | $18K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| 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
Meagher County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1975, 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 |
| July 2000 | Fire | Mt - Central Zone 3b Fire Complex |
| July 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms,Ice Jams, Snow Melt, Flooding |
| February 1996 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams |
| May 1981 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| June 1975 | Flood | Rains, Showmelt, Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Meagher County?
Meagher County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Meagher County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $61K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $140K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $50K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Meagher County compare to other Montana counties?
Meagher County ranks #50 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Meagher County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Meagher County since 1975, 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. Meagher County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.