Madison County
Montana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 41th
Madison County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 41.0, 41th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.40 / yr | $6M |
| Landslide | Medium | 4.24 / yr | $192K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.03 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 42.13 / yr | $99K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.61 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Low | 37.66 / yr | $164K |
| Drought | Very Low | 91.84 / yr | $30K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.38 / yr | $106K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $8K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $42K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $16K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Madison County?
Madison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 41.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 41th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Madison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Very High, $6M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $192K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Madison County compare to other Montana counties?
Madison County ranks #24 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low 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. Madison County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.