Powder River County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 4th
Powder River County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.0, 4th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Powder River County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 4.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 4th 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $1K in expected annual loss and about 2.99 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $60K in expected annual loss and about 19.62 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Powder River County has a very low 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.
History supports the rating: Powder River County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 4 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (straight-line winds), declared in April 2026.
Among 56 Montana counties, Powder River County ranks #48 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 2.99 / yr | $1K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 19.62 / yr | $60K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.16 / yr | $559K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.01 / yr | $115K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Drought | Very Low | 75.65 / yr | $2K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.26 / yr | $20K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $45K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 34.08 / yr | $17K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.90 / yr | $14K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Powder River County has received 12 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Fire (4), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2020 | Fire | Snider/Rice Fire Complex |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2019 | Flood | Flooding |
| August 2012 | Fire | Wildfire |
| June 2012 | Fire | Ash Creek Fire |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
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 Powder River County?
Powder River County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 4th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Powder River County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $1M EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $1K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $60K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Powder River County compare to other Montana counties?
Powder River County ranks #48 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Powder River County had?
FEMA records 12 federal disaster declarations for Powder River County since 1978, most often 4 for fire events and 2 for biological 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. Powder River County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.