Montague County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 55th
Montague County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 54.9, 55th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Montague County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 54.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 55th 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.
Most of Montague County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 36.10 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $643K in expected annual loss and about 1.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Montague County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Montague County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1981, including 6 for fire events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (flood), declared in May 2024.
Among 254 Texas counties, Montague County ranks #126 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 36.10 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.00 / yr | $643K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.11 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.75 / yr | $903K |
| Hail | Low | 9.71 / yr | $333K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $943K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $24K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $101K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.26 / yr | $31K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 52.42 / yr | $51K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Montague County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1981, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Fire (6), Severe Storm (5), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| March 2008 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Montague County?
Montague County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 54.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 55th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montague County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $4M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $643K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montague County compare to other Texas counties?
Montague County ranks #126 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Montague County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Montague County since 1981, most often 6 for fire events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 2024.
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. Montague County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.