Enter any address in Carbon County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Carbon County. Recent events include a flash flood on June 8, 2023, caused by slow-moving, heavy thunderstorms, and another on May 22, 2018, where torrential rain from a severe thunderstorm resulted in flash flooding. Additionally, a significant flood event occurred on June 10, 2022, combining heavy rain with snowmelt, leading to unprecedented flooding across the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and adjacent plains, isolating communities and requiring water rescues.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $73,987 and an average water depth of 2.1 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $59,450 and an average water depth of 2.2 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those located near rivers and streams, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Carbon County, Montana has recorded 21 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 9 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 (1978–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding | Flood | Jun 1, 2023 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Flood | Jun 10, 2022 |
| Robertson Draw Fire | Fire | Jun 15, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 1, 2018 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Mt - Willie Fire | Fire | Aug 28, 2000 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 13, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 10, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 22, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 7, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 6, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 29, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 24, 2023
A stationary thunderstorm producing heavy rain resulted in flash flooding near Roscoe and Red Lodge.
Flash Flood — Jun 8, 2023
A very moist, easterly surface flow continued into the start of the second week of June. This resulted in dewpoints well above 50 degrees, as well as atmospheric precipitable waters over 1.00. Winds aloft continued to be light resulting in slow-moving, heavy thunderstorms. As a result, multiple flash flood events occurred across portions of central and south central Montana.
Flood — Jun 10, 2022
The combination of 5 inches of rain combined with snow-water equivalent melt of 2 to 5 inches resulted in a total water event of around 4 to 9 inches. This resulted in unprecedented flooding across the Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and adjacent plains. This flooding was rarely or never been seen before across many area rivers and streams.||Many locations were evacuated across the Beartooths and ...
Flash Flood — May 22, 2018
A severe thunderstorm slowly moved across portions of Carbon and Stillwater Counties during the late evening hours on the 22nd. The storm produced 1 diameter hail along with torrential rain which resulted in some flash flooding.
Flood — May 28, 2014
The snowpack during most of the month of May was around 150% of average. There was significant melting of the snowpack below 8000 feet during the month. The melting snowpack resulted in rising river levels and river flooding. The main impacts of the high river flows were fast flows, low-land flooding and bank erosion.
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 Carbon 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 Carbon 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.