Powell County
Montana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Powell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.0, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.59 / yr | $61K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $684K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 46.41 / yr | $140K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $376K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.40 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Very Low | 75.08 / yr | $5K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 25.47 / yr | $42K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $29K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $6K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $3K |
| 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 Powell County?
Powell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Powell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $61K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $684K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $140K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Powell County compare to other Montana counties?
Powell County ranks #39 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. Powell County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.