Natural Disaster Risk in Yellowstone National Park

Natural Hazard Profile: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Located in the Great Plains in Park County, Yellowstone National Park is a small community of about 686. The semi-arid climate that characterizes this part of Wyoming — marked by high winds, cold winters, and significant snowfall at elevation — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Yellowstone National Park a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Yellowstone National Park's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.1/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. Secondary hazards include avalanche and volcano.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Yellowstone National Park's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 5.3/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by landslide and avalanche, as measured by FEMA across Park County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Yellowstone National Park residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for landslide and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.