Enter any address in Chouteau County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Chouteau County, Montana has recorded 9 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 2 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 10 federal disaster declarations, 2 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 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 15, 2010 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 13, 2000 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Ice Jams | Severe Storm | Feb 4, 1996 |
| Heavy Rains, Landslides & Flooding | Flood | Feb 24, 1986 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 7, 2024 | 194.00K |
| Flood | Apr 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 25, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2002 | — |
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 11, 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 — May 29, 2019
A slow-moving low pressure system was accompanied by unusually-high amounts of moisture, periods of steady of heavy rain, and some thunderstorms over north-central Montana during May 25th through the early morning of the 28th. In addition, relatively-high snow levels allowed rain to fall on lingering snowpack along the Rocky Mountain Front, where easterly upslope flow enhanced rainfall totals. ...
Flood — Jun 23, 2018
A trough aloft and embedded low pressure center moved slowly east-southeastward over north-central and southwest Montana on June 23rd. Abundant low-level moisture and cold air aloft associated with the trough allowed scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop via daytime heating alone. A nearly-stationary cluster of showers and thunderstorms impacted the Shelby area from late morning throug...
Flood — Feb 25, 2011
An ice jam developed on the Missouri River and flooding occurred in low-lying areas on the north side of Fort Benton.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Chouteau 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 Chouteau 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.