Enter any address in Blaine County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Milk River and its tributaries is a significant flood concern in Blaine County. Recent events include flooding on April 10, 2023, caused by rapid snowmelt from unseasonably warm temperatures, and a September 18, 2024, event where heavy rainfall on dry soil led to widespread flooding.
Over the past 30 years, Blaine County has experienced 17 flood events and 5 flash flood events. NFIP claims data shows that properties in Zone A, which have a higher average water depth of 2.7 feet, also have a higher average payout of $1778. Properties in Zone X had an average water depth of 0.8 feet and an average payout of $1579. A significant portion of claims, 25, were in Zone Unknown, with an average payout of $1225 and an average water depth of 0.2 feet.
Homeowners and real estate agents should pay particular attention to properties located near the Milk River and its tributaries, as well as those in areas identified as Zone A by FEMA.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Blaine County, Montana has recorded 22 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 5 flash floods and 17 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1986–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 6, 2024 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 10, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 12, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 21, 2014 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 13, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 7, 2024 | 1.07M |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2023 | 1.00M |
| Flood | Apr 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 18, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2025
A persistent troughing pattern brought in good instability and shear to produce severe thunderstorms across the region over the 3 day time frame with strong winds as the primary hazard. There was also isolated large hail. Anomalously high moisture content and slower moving storms brought localized flooding. A thunderstorm produced heavy rainfall and caused flooding in Havre and in Clear Creek o...
Flood — Sep 18, 2024
A closed upper low over the Great Basin and vicinity shifted northeastward toward the region while it spawned a surface low across eastern MT. As the upper level disturbance and surface low became stacked across eastern MT, a period of widespread heavy rain developed where the TROWAL set up across the eastern plains. Additionally, a few strong northwesterly gusts were observed on the west side ...
Flood — May 7, 2024
A closed upper level low lifted northeast across eastern Montana on May 6th through the 9th. This low merged with a shortwave streaming from the Pacific Northwest. This storm system brought strong winds across Central and North Central Montana with the highest wind gust measured near Whitlash where a mesonet station measured an 87 mph gust. Widespread wind gusts of 55 and 75 mph were measured. ...
Flood — Apr 10, 2023
Unseasonably warm temperatures occurred in the first two weeks of April, with highs near 80 degrees occurring at times. These warm temps, along with occasional rain, resulted in melting of a deep snowpack on top of frozen ground which led to significant runoff into area waterways. Moderate to major flooding occurred along portions of the Milk River and its tributaries. Impactful snowmelt floodi...
Flood — Apr 8, 2023
Unseasonably warm temperatures occurred in the first two weeks of April, with highs near 80 degrees occurring at times. These warm temps, along with occasional rain, resulted in melting of a deep snowpack on top of frozen ground which led to significant runoff into area waterways. Moderate to major flooding occurred along portions of the Milk River and its tributaries. Impactful snowmelt floodi...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Blaine County, Montana:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Blaine County, Montana that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.