Silver Bow County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Silver Bow County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 38.0, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Silver Bow County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 38.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 38th 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 winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $599K in expected annual loss and about 44.96 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $72K in expected annual loss and about 0.53 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 35K.
Beyond physical exposure, Silver Bow County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Silver Bow County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1981, including 2 for biological events and 2 for fire events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 56 Montana counties, Silver Bow County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 44.96 / yr | $599K |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.53 / yr | $72K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.31 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $527K |
| Lightning | Medium | 34.75 / yr | $437K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $379 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.60 / yr | $127K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Very Low | 91.13 / yr | $526 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $38K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $88K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $74K |
| 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
Silver Bow County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1981, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Fire (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2000 | Fire | Wildfires |
| August 2000 | Fire | Mt-Southwestern Zone Two Fire Complex |
| February 1996 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams |
| May 1981 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Silver Bow County?
Silver Bow County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 38.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Silver Bow County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $599K EAL), Landslide (Medium, $72K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Silver Bow County compare to other Montana counties?
Silver Bow County ranks #26 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Silver Bow County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Silver Bow County since 1981, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for fire 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. Silver Bow County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.