Park County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 66th
Park County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.3, 66th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $28M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Park County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 66.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 66th 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 Park County's expected losses come from avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 0.67 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $264K in expected annual loss and about 2.60 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $28M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Park County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Park County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1996, including 5 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (straight-line winds), declared in April 2026.
Among 56 Montana counties, Park County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.67 / yr | $12M |
| Landslide | Medium | 2.60 / yr | $264K |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 22.04 / yr | $256K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.02 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 38.81 / yr | $364K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.25 / yr | $9M |
| Hail | Low | 0.69 / yr | $223K |
| Drought | Very Low | 70.01 / yr | $10K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $52K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $73K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $51K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Park County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1996, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2022 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2019 | Flood | Flooding |
| October 2018 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2014 | Flood | Ice Jams and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Park County?
Park County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 66th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Park County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Very High, $12M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $264K EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Park County compare to other Montana counties?
Park County ranks #9 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Park County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Park County since 1996, most often 5 for flood events and 3 for severe storm 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. Park County's $28M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.