Cascade County
Montana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Cascade County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.1, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $55M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 45.67 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 8.10 / yr | $23M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $714K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.75 / yr | $25M |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $457K |
| Lightning | Medium | 25.09 / yr | $604K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.54 / yr | $8K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $983K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.70 / yr | $829K |
| Hail | Low | 1.02 / yr | $336K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.15 / yr | $335K |
| Drought | Low | 58.28 / yr | $39K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $24K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $280K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cascade County?
Cascade County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cascade County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $23M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $714K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cascade County compare to other Montana counties?
Cascade County ranks #3 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Cascade County's $55M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.