Powell County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Powell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.0, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Powell County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 10.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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 1.59 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $684K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $140K in expected annual loss and about 46.41 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Powell 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.
History supports the rating: Powell County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 5 for fire events and 4 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, Powell County ranks #39 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.59 / yr | $61K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $684K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 46.41 / yr | $140K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $376K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.40 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Very Low | 75.08 / yr | $5K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 25.47 / yr | $42K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $29K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $6K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Powell County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Flood (4), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2025 | Fire | Windy Rock Fire |
| August 2024 | Straight-Line Winds | Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2017 | Fire | Rice Ridge Fire |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2003 | Fire | Mt-Lincoln Fire Complex - 08/14/2003 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Powell County?
Powell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Powell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $61K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $684K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $140K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Powell County compare to other Montana counties?
Powell County ranks #39 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Powell County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Powell County since 1975, most often 5 for fire events and 4 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. Powell County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.