Yellowstone County
Montana — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Yellowstone County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.6, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $60M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 18.28 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 3.55 / yr | $19M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | High | 31.99 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $29M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.00 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.21 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.22 / yr | $8K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.85 / yr | $865K |
| Drought | Low | 71.54 / yr | $51K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.01 / yr | $47K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $560K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / 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 Yellowstone County?
Yellowstone County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Yellowstone County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $19M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Yellowstone County compare to other Montana counties?
Yellowstone County ranks #2 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. Yellowstone County's $60M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.