Montana Emergency Preparedness Guide 2026

Big Sky Country comes with big hazards. Montana's stunning landscape—from the Rocky Mountain peaks to the vast eastern plains—harbors a diverse array of natural threats that demand serious preparation. This is a state where winter temperatures have plunged to -70°F, where wildfires have burned over a million acres in a single season, and where the Yellowstone supervolcano reminds us that nature operates on scales beyond human comprehension. The 2022 Yellowstone flood showed how quickly Montana's rivers can transform from scenic attractions to destructive forces. Living in Montana means embracing self-reliance and preparing for extremes that would be unimaginable elsewhere.

Montana's Diverse Hazard Landscape

Montana's geography creates distinct hazard zones. Western Montana's Rocky Mountain terrain faces wildfires, avalanches, and seismic activity. Central Montana experiences severe winter storms and spring flooding. Eastern Montana contends with tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and drought more typical of the Great Plains. Understanding your region's specific threats is essential for effective preparation.

The state's sparse population—just over 1 million residents spread across 147,000 square miles—means emergency services are stretched thin. Many areas are hours from the nearest hospital. During disasters, roads may be impassable for days. Self-sufficiency isn't a lifestyle choice in Montana; it's a survival necessity.

Climate change is intensifying Montana's hazards. Fire seasons are longer and more severe. Snowpack is declining, affecting water supplies and flooding patterns. Temperature extremes are becoming more pronounced. The hazards Montanans have always faced are becoming more frequent and more intense.

Primary Disaster Threats

Wildfires: Montana's Growing Crisis

Montana wildfires have reached unprecedented scale and intensity. The 2017 fire season burned over 1.3 million acres across the state—an area larger than Delaware. Entire communities faced evacuation as fires exploded through drought-stressed forests. The 2021 season was similarly catastrophic, with fires burning from the Canadian border to Yellowstone.

The combination of drought, beetle-killed timber, and climate change has created conditions for extreme fire behavior. Crown fires race through treetops at speeds that outpace evacuation. Ember showers ignite spot fires miles ahead of the main blaze. Fire seasons now extend from May through October, with peak danger in August and September.

The wildland-urban interface—where development meets forest—is expanding rapidly in Montana. Communities like Paradise, Seeley Lake, and areas around Missoula face extreme fire risk. Creating defensible space around structures, using fire-resistant building materials, and maintaining evacuation readiness are essential for rural Montana residents.

Earthquakes: Living Near Yellowstone

Montana is seismically active, particularly in the western third near Yellowstone. The 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake—magnitude 7.3—killed 28 people when a massive landslide buried a campground. It remains the largest historical earthquake in the Intermountain West and serves as a reminder of the region's seismic potential.

Yellowstone National Park experiences over 1,000 earthquakes annually, most too small to feel. Earthquake swarms occasionally produce magnitude 4-5 events that are felt across the region. While the probability of a supervolcanic eruption is extremely low, significant earthquakes and hydrothermal explosions are realistic concerns.

The Intermountain Seismic Belt runs through western Montana, causing periodic significant earthquakes. Helena experienced damaging earthquakes in 1935. Bozeman, Butte, and Missoula all have elevated earthquake risk. Homes and businesses in these areas should be prepared for ground shaking.

Severe Winter Weather

Montana winters are legendary for good reason. The state holds the record for coldest temperature in the lower 48 states: -70°F at Rogers Pass on January 20, 1954. Temperatures below -30°F occur regularly during cold snaps. Wind chills can plunge below -50°F, creating life-threatening conditions for anyone caught outside.

Blizzards strike Montana repeatedly each winter. Heavy snow combined with high winds creates whiteout conditions that close highways for days. The January 2008 blizzard stranded hundreds of motorists and cut off communities across central Montana. Snow accumulations can exceed several feet in mountainous areas.

Chinook winds add another dimension to Montana winters. These warm downslope winds can raise temperatures 40-50°F in hours—the most dramatic temperature swings in North America. While welcome relief from cold, chinooks can trigger rapid snowmelt and avalanches.

Flooding: The 2022 Yellowstone Event

The June 2022 Yellowstone flood stunned even seasoned Montanans. Record rainfall combined with rapid snowmelt sent rivers surging 5-10 feet above flood stage. The Yellowstone River peaked at levels never before recorded. Roads, bridges, and entire communities were washed away. Gardiner was completely cut off from the rest of Montana.

The flood caused over $1 billion in damage and closed Yellowstone National Park's north entrance for months. Infrastructure damage will take years to repair. The event demonstrated how quickly Montana's rivers can transform from scenic attractions to destructive forces—and how climate change is intensifying precipitation events.

Spring flooding from snowmelt is an annual concern across Montana. The Missouri River and its tributaries, the Yellowstone River system, and numerous smaller drainages all pose flood risks. Ice jams on rivers during spring breakup can cause sudden, localized flooding.

Regional Preparedness

Western Montana (Missoula, Kalispell, Helena)

Western Montana faces the highest wildfire risk, with extensive forests and expanding wildland-urban interface. Earthquake risk is elevated throughout the region. Winter storms bring heavy snow, particularly in mountain valleys. Flooding from snowmelt affects river valleys each spring. Air quality during fire season can be hazardous for weeks.

Central Montana (Great Falls, Havre, Lewistown)

Central Montana experiences the most severe winter weather, with Arctic air masses bringing extreme cold. Blizzards close highways regularly. Spring brings flooding along the Missouri and its tributaries. Summer thunderstorms produce hail, wind, and occasional tornadoes. Drought is increasingly common.

Eastern Montana (Billings, Miles City, Sidney)

Eastern Montana's plains environment creates Great Plains-style hazards: tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, extreme temperature swings, and drought. Billings, the state's largest city, sits along the Yellowstone River with flood risk. Winter can bring both blizzards and chinook-driven rapid temperature changes.

Building Your Montana Emergency Kit

Wildfire and Smoke Supplies

• N95 or P100 respirator masks (at least 10 per person)
• HEPA air purifier for creating clean air room
• Go-bag with 72-hour supplies for rapid evacuation
• Important documents in fire-resistant container
• Vehicle fuel kept above half tank during fire season
• Defensible space maintenance tools

Severe Winter Supplies

• Alternative heat source (propane, kerosene, or wood)
• Two weeks of food and water minimum
• Extreme cold weather clothing (-40°F rated)
• Battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors
• Extra fuel for heating and vehicles
• Vehicle emergency kit with blankets, food, and supplies
• Satellite communicator for remote areas

Earthquake Supplies

• Earthquake straps for water heaters and furniture
• Heavy-duty flashlight and gloves by bed
• First aid kit with trauma supplies
• Wrench for gas shutoff
• Whistle to signal rescuers
• Sturdy shoes accessible from bed

Emergency Resources

• Montana Disaster and Emergency Services: (406) 324-4777
• National Weather Service Great Falls: (406) 453-2081
• National Weather Service Missoula: (406) 329-4840
• Montana Road Conditions: 511 or mdt.mt.gov/511
• Montana Wildfire Information: inciweb.nwcg.gov
• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
• Yellowstone Volcano Observatory: volcanoes.usgs.gov

Taking Action Today

Montana demands year-round preparedness. Fire season requires evacuation readiness and air quality protection. Winter demands heating alternatives, vehicle supplies, and food storage. Spring brings flood awareness. Living successfully in Big Sky Country means anticipating and preparing for extremes.

1. Create wildfire defensible space around your property
2. Stock N95 masks and air purification for smoke season
3. Prepare comprehensive winter emergency supplies
4. Secure earthquake hazards in your home
5. Build emergency kits using our Emergency Kit Calculator
6. Calculate water storage needs with our Water Storage Calculator
7. Maintain vehicle emergency kits year-round
8. Know your evacuation routes for all hazards

Montana's challenges are real, but so is the independence and resilience of those who call it home. The same landscape that creates hazards also creates communities of prepared, self-reliant people who look out for each other. Prepare thoroughly, know your risks, and embrace the self-sufficiency that Montana demands.