Great Falls, MT
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Great Falls is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Cascade County, MT. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, cold wave, and wildfire.
Storm events near Great Falls
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Great Falls's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Great Falls itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Cascade County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Great Falls along with the rest of the county, not a Great Falls-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 84.2 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 83.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 71.8 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 45.8 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 20.8 | Very Low |
| Avalanche | 80.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | 98 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 33.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 53.4 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 23.9 | Very Low |
| Landslide | 71.9 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 72.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 60.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 99.3 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Cascade County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Cascade County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Great Falls, MT at risk of?
Great Falls is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Cascade County, where Great Falls is located, are winter weather, cold wave, and wildfire.
What is Great Falls's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Cascade County, where Great Falls is located, scoring 99.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Great Falls a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Great Falls carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Cascade County.
Has Great Falls had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 1 tornado, 64 hail, 19 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Great Falls since 2016.