Helena, MT
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Helena is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Lewis and Clark County, MT. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, landslide, and cold wave.
Storm events near Helena
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Helena's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Helena 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 Lewis and Clark County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Helena along with the rest of the county, not a Helena-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 92.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 64.6 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 86.8 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 35.4 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 8.9 | Very Low |
| Avalanche | 79.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | 94.6 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 22.8 | Very Low |
| Hail | 10.2 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 15.7 | Very Low |
| Landslide | 95.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 66.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 21.2 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 98.1 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Lewis and Clark County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Lewis and Clark County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Helena, MT at risk of?
Helena is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Lewis and Clark County, where Helena is located, are winter weather, landslide, and cold wave.
What is Helena's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Lewis and Clark County, where Helena is located, scoring 98.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Helena a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Helena carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Lewis and Clark County.
Has Helena had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 19 hail, 11 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Helena since 2016.