Montgomery County
Pennsylvania — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 97th
Montgomery County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 96.8, 97th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $297M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 12.40 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Very High | 6.99 / yr | $10M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.89 / yr | $30M |
| Heat Wave | High | 9.59 / yr | $20M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 5.71 / yr | $193M |
| Tornado | High | 0.25 / yr | $15M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $14M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.08 / yr | $9M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.44 / yr | $530K |
| Lightning | Medium | 34.57 / yr | $756K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.26 / yr | $6K |
| Drought | Low | 4.10 / yr | $367K |
| Hail | Low | 2.59 / yr | $234K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Montgomery County?
Montgomery County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.8 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 97th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montgomery County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (Very High, $10M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $30M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montgomery County compare to other Pennsylvania counties?
Montgomery County ranks #3 of 67 Pennsylvania counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
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. Montgomery County's $297M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.