Richland County
Montana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 53th
Richland County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.7, 53th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 15.21 / yr | $17M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.95 / yr | $324K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $85K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.53 / yr | $413K |
| Hail | Low | 2.06 / yr | $297K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.12 / yr | $85K |
| Lightning | Low | 27.26 / yr | $199K |
| Drought | Low | 36.51 / yr | $45K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.23 / yr | $561K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.63 / yr | $332K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.69 / yr | $204 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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 Richland County?
Richland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 53th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Richland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $17M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $324K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $85K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Richland County compare to other Montana counties?
Richland County ranks #15 of 56 Montana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Richland County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.