Wheatland County, Montana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Wheatland County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 3.5, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Wheatland County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 3.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd 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 Very Low risk — $41K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $155K in expected annual loss and about 34.83 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $485K in expected annual loss and about 4.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wheatland County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Wheatland County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1975, including 3 for severe storm 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, Wheatland County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $41K |
| Lightning | Low | 34.83 / yr | $155K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.11 / yr | $485K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 20.08 / yr | $23K |
| Drought | Very Low | 72.88 / yr | $9K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.66 / yr | $69K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $106 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $16 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.98 / yr | $8K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $20K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.67 / yr | $12K |
| 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
Wheatland County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1975, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2014 | Flood | Ice Jams and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2000 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms,Ice Jams, Snow Melt, Flooding |
| June 1975 | Flood | Rains, Showmelt, Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wheatland County?
Wheatland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 3.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wheatland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Very Low, $41K EAL), Lightning (Low, $155K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $485K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wheatland County compare to other Montana counties?
Wheatland County ranks #49 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wheatland County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Wheatland County since 1975, most often 3 for severe storm 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. Wheatland County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.