Custer County, Montana
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 30017 · population 11,841 · 3,783 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 686 records for Custer County, Montana from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 398 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (254 records). The deadliest single record is the July 6, 2016 thunderstorm wind: 1 death and 1 injury. FEMA has issued 9 declarations naming the county since 2000, 7 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Snider/Rice Fire Complex” on September 3, 2020.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 686on 398 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 26 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $4.9Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 8strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 9latest 2020
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Custer County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 254 since 1957. 72% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Montana's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 254 | 170 | 1957-2025 | 1 | 6 | $683K | 9 of 56 |
| Hail | 239 | 125 | 1958-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1K | 28 of 56 |
| Winter storms | 80 | 67 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 55 of 56 |
| High wind and dust storms | 53 | 49 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 54 of 56 |
| Floods | 31 | 27 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | $3.4M | 30 of 56 |
| Tornadoes | 8 | 8 | 1965-2014 | 0 | 0 | $835K | 26 of 56 |
| Heavy rain | 7 | 4 | 2005-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 46 of 56 |
| Extreme cold | 5 | 3 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 47 of 56 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 5 | 5 | 1998-2014 | 0 | 0 | – | 33 of 56 |
| Wildfires | 2 | 2 | 2007-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 42 of 56 |
| Drought | 1 | 1 | 2021-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 25 of 56 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 1999-1999 | 1 | 0 | – | 24 of 56 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Custer County had?
NOAA records 8 tornadoes in Custer County from 1965 to 2014, the strongest rated F2, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 26th of 56 Montana counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 10 tornadoes whose track touched Custer County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 8: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Montana.
Every tornado record filed for Custer County (8)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-05-31 | Volborg, Custer County | EF0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-07-08 | Ulmer, Custer County | EF1 0.57 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1995-08-26 | Garland, Custer County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-06-24 | Custer County | F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1989-05-11 | Custer County | F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1984-06-15 | Custer County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1975-06-25 | Custer County | F2 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1965-07-11 | Custer County | F2 5.4 mi x 67 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Custer County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the July 13, 2024 thunderstorm wind (3 injuries).
Several injuries occurred due to trees falling on them and vehicles. At least one person was hospitalized.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1192885)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-13 | High WindCuster County · forecast zone Custer | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-08 | High WindCuster County · forecast zone Custer | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-14 | Winter StormCuster County · forecast zone Custer | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-12 | High WindCuster County · forecast zone Custer | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-08 | High WindCuster County · forecast zone Custer | 53 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-17 | High WindCuster County · forecast zone Custer | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-21 | High WindCuster County · forecast zone Custer | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-17 | Thunderstorm WindMiles City Airport, Custer County | 57 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-17 | Thunderstorm WindMiles City, Custer County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-07 | Thunderstorm WindMiles City Airport, Custer County | 64 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-07-29 | Thunderstorm WindKinsey, Custer County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-07-29 | HailVolborg, Custer County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-07-06 | Thunderstorm WindKinsey, Custer County A semi truck was blown off Interstate 94 at Mile Marker 156. The driver of the semi was injured. | 70 kt wind | 1 | 1 | – |
| 1999-06-25 | LightningMizpah, Custer County A 14 year-old boy was struck and killed by lightning while standing on a front tire of a tractor in a field. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-07-13 | Thunderstorm WindMiles City, Custer County Several injuries occurred due to trees falling on them and vehicles. At least one person was hospitalized. | 65 kt wind | 0 | 3 | – |
| 2000-07-09 | Thunderstorm WindMiles City, Custer County 2 inch diameter hail. Crop and window damage. Foot of water over Frontage Road along Interstate 94. Interstate 94 closed for one hour due to water over the road. Car accident near mile marker 160 with two injuries. | 0 | 2 | $26K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-07-04 | Flash FloodMiles City, Custer County | 0 | 0 | $1.8M | |
| 2011-05-20 | FloodKnowlton, Custer County | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 1995-08-07 | Thunderstorm WindMiles City, Custer County | 0 | 0 | $349K | |
| 2010-07-18 | Thunderstorm WindMiles City, Custer County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $81K |
| 2000-07-09 | Thunderstorm WindMiles City, Custer County | 0 | 2 | $26K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 11, 1989 (tornado, Custer County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Custer County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 4 | 31 | 20 | 16 | 21 | 45 | 65 | 52 |
| Hail | 2 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 27 | 84 | 74 | 29 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 44 | 19 | 11 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 5 | 19 | 11 | 18 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 13 | 12 | 3 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
72% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 15 · Feb 16 · Mar 32 · Apr 17 · May 73 · Jun 194 · Jul 196 · Aug 90 · Sep 7 · Oct 8 · Nov 12 · Dec 26 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Custer County
FEMA's register lists 9 declarations that include Custer County: 6 major disasters, 2 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for fire (2) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-09-03 | FM-5345 | Fire | Snider/Rice Fire Complex |
| 2020-03-31 | DR-4508 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3476 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-10-31 | DR-4405 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2013-07-10 | DR-4127 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2011-06-17 | DR-1996 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2008-06-13 | DR-1767 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3253 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2000-08-30 | DR-1340 | Fire | Wildfires |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Custer County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 31 flood or flash flood records for Custer County from 1998 to 2025, on 27 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Custer County ranks 1067th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $400,000 on 156 claims filed in Custer County; the most in one year was 65 in 1979. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 9 · 1979: 65 · 1982: 1 · 1983: 1 · 1986: 1 · 1991: 2 · 1993: 1 · 1996: 1 · 1997: 2 · 2001: 5 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 1 · 2006: 1 · 2007: 2 · 2011: 55 · 2012: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2023: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Custer County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Custer County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $10.3 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Weather | Relatively High | $230K | 16 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $4.3M | 6.3 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $493K | 31 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $575K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $550K | once in about 189 years (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $184K | 1.8 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $3.5M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Very Low | $2K | 2.9 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Custer County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in MontanaEvery Montana tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in MontanaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Montana recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Custer CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Custer County's FEMA declarations (CSV)9 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis