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Park County, Montana

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Relatively Low overall risk
9th of 56highest risk in Montana
$28Mexpected losses a year
12federal declarations
1 in 125homes with flood insurance
Photo: Richard Allaway, CC BY 2.0

Park County, Montana has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 66% of US counties. It ranks 9th of 56 counties in Montana. The costliest hazards here are avalanches, inland flooding and wildfires. FEMA estimates about $28 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $1,618 per resident. Since 1996 it has been included in 12 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (10 major disasters). The most recent was in April 2026 (severe winter storm and straight-line winds). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (95 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $3.3 million on 141 claims here, including $2.5 million for floods in 2022.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Park County

Avalanche

Very High
$11.6 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 1 years.
  • Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
  • Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.
$8.5 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 4 years.
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.

Wildfire

Moderate
$2.7 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 430 years.
  • Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
  • Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
AvalancheVery High99.6
$12M
Inland floodingLow55.6
$9M
WildfireModerate93.5
$3M
Cold waveModerate69.8
$2M
EarthquakeLow76.4
$1M
LightningModerate60.1
$364K
LandslideModerate96.7
$264K
Winter weatherModerate82.3
$256K
HailLow43.5
$223K
Strong windVery Low9.5
$73K
Heat waveVery Low17.7
$52K
TornadoVery Low8.3
$51K
DroughtVery Low23.6
$10K
Ice stormVery Low11.2
$6K
Volcanic activityVery Low20.2
$0

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively low and community resilience is very high in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Park County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Flood5
Severe Storm3
Fire2
Hurricane1
Straight-Line Winds1

Most recent

Apr 7, 2026Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line WindsMajor disaster
Aug 12, 2023FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 16, 2022Severe Storm and FloodingMajor disaster
May 24, 2019FloodingMajor disaster
Oct 31, 2018FloodingMajor disaster
Apr 17, 2014Ice Jams and FloodingMajor disaster
Jun 17, 2011Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Sep 13, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
Aug 30, 2000WildfiresMajor disaster
Aug 16, 2000Mt - South Central Zone 4 Fire ComplexFire management
Show all 12
Jul 25, 1997Severe Storms,Ice Jams, Snow Melt, FloodingMajor disaster
Feb 23, 1996Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice JamsMajor disaster

Montana also had 36 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1955

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 255 storm reports in Park County since 1955, with 0 deaths and 7 injuries and about $167,500 in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an EF2 tornado on July 2, 2010 near Wilsall Arpt.

2tornadoes
58hail reports, largest 1.75 inches
183damaging thunderstorm winds
7floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Jul 2, 2010EF2Wilsall Arpt0 / 0
Aug 9, 2011EF0Wilsall0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
May 24, 2011FloodClyde Park$130K
Jul 2, 2010TornadoWilsall Arpt$33K
Jul 25, 1994Thunderstorm WindLivingston$5K

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jul 25, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Flood insurance in Park County

Check your address flood zone ›
0.8%of homes have federal flood insurance (95 policies)
10.8%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$3.3 millionpaid on 141 flood claims since 1978
2022costliest year, with $2.5 million paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Park County

$467,500median home value (Montana $375,800, US $332,700)
1980median year homes were built (Montana 1981, US 1980)
51%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
7.9%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 9,635 housing units.

Compare in Montana

All 56 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Yellowstone CountyModerateInland flooding
Gallatin CountyModerateEarthquake
Missoula CountyLowInland flooding
Flathead CountyModerateInland flooding
Cascade CountyModerateInland flooding
Lewis and Clark CountyLowCold wave
Ravalli CountyLowWildfire
Silver Bow CountyVery LowCold wave

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Gallatin CountyModerate7
Park County, WYLow2
Carbon CountyLow11
Stillwater CountyVery Low14
Sweet Grass CountyVery Low8
Meagher CountyVery Low8

Common questions about Park County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Park County?

Avalanche has the highest expected yearly losses in Park County, about $11.6 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Inland flooding is second at $8.5 million.

How many federal disasters has Park County had?

Park County has been included in 12 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1996, including 10 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in April 2026.

Is Park County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 9th highest of 56 in Montana. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Park County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 125 homes in Park County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Park County had?

NOAA records list 2 tornadoes in Park County since 1950. The strongest was an EF2 tornado on July 2, 2010 near Wilsall Arpt. The weather service has also logged 58 hail reports and 7 floods here.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.