Flathead County
Montana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Flathead County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.5, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $75M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.50 / yr | $9M |
| Landslide | Medium | 4.16 / yr | $417K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $21M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | High | 4.19 / yr | $14M |
| Winter Weather | High | 50.08 / yr | $725K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $24M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $264K |
| Lightning | Medium | 20.85 / yr | $392K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.30 / yr | $632K |
| Drought | Very Low | 36.01 / yr | $14K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $96K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $146K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $19K |
| 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 Flathead County?
Flathead County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Flathead County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Very High, $9M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $417K EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $21M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Flathead County compare to other Montana counties?
Flathead County ranks #1 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. Flathead County's $75M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.