Sanders County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Sanders County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.4, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Sanders County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 47.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $149K in expected annual loss and about 2.21 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $969K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $212K in expected annual loss and about 43.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sanders County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Sanders County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 6 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, Sanders County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 2.21 / yr | $149K |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $969K |
| Winter Weather | High | 43.61 / yr | $212K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $223K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.02 / yr | $422K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.03 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.50 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.68 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.07 / yr | $86K |
| Drought | Very Low | 30.83 / yr | $2K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 17.80 / yr | $38K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $32K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $10K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.30 / 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
Sanders County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Fire (6), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| December 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2023 | Fire | River Road East Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2017 | Fire | Moose Peak Fire |
| September 2017 | Fire | Highway 200 Fire Complex |
| April 2014 | Flood | Ice Jams and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2003 | Fire | Mt-Cherry Creek Fire -08/06/03 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sanders County?
Sanders County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sanders County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $149K EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $969K EAL), Winter Weather (High, $212K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sanders County compare to other Montana counties?
Sanders County ranks #19 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sanders County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Sanders County since 1974, most often 6 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. Sanders County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.