Enter any Montana address to see its FEMA flood zone designation
Montana experiences a mixed flood-risk profile characterized predominantly by traditional riverine flooding and significant flash flood activity, alongside rare storm surge occurrences over the last thirty years according to NOAA data. Across this timeframe, NOAA recorded 765 general flood events resulting in 11 deaths, as well as 473 flash flood events resulting in 1 death, and a single storm surge or tide event.
Recent federal disaster declarations underscore the ongoing threat of severe weather and rising waters in the state. Declarations for severe storms and flooding were issued multiple times on December 10, 2025, following earlier flooding disasters on May 18, 2025, and May 6, 2024, alongside a severe storm and straight-line wind declaration on August 6, 2024.
The National Flood Insurance Program claim distribution shows that Zone A carries the highest financial and structural impact, accounting for 865 claims and $11 million paid out with an average of $17,653 per claim, indicating that residents in high-risk zones face the greatest necessity for coverage. Meanwhile, substantial payouts occur outside designated high-risk areas, with Zone X recording 430 claims totaling $5 million, and an unclassified "UNKNOWN" category registering 585 claims totaling $2 million. This distribution demonstrates that surprise claims and financial losses extend into moderate and unmapped zones, highlighting potential vulnerability for property owners who may assume they are entirely safe from flood risks.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
Montana has received 646 federal disaster declarations, including 146 flood and coastal storm declarations.
FEMA designates flood zones across Montana using the following classifications:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding (100-year floodplain). Insurance required for federal mortgages.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action. Strictest building codes.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain. Insurance recommended.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains. Insurance optional but advisable — from 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside high-risk zones.
Properties in Montana FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Montana had 3,638 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $966 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Montana residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
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