Enter any address in Fallon County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Fallon County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 14 flash flood events and 2 general flood events. Recent examples include a flash flood on July 3, 2022, caused by severe thunderstorms with very heavy rain, and another on June 17, 2014, associated with severe thunderstorms producing damaging winds.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has recorded one claim in Fallon County with an unknown flood zone designation, which resulted in no payout and no reported water depth. Residents in areas prone to rapid runoff from heavy rainfall, particularly those downstream of thunderstorm activity, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Fallon County, Montana has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 8 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (2000–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Tornado | Tornado | Jun 11, 2016 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | May 1, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Oct 31, 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 | Jul 3, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2011 | 375.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 15, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2005 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2004 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2001 | — |
Flash Flood — Jul 3, 2022
An unstable southwest flow aloft, combined with a strong jet stream aloft and a moist low-level easterly flow, resulted in numerous severe thunderstorms across the Billings Forecast Area. These thunderstorms contained large hail and very heavy rain.
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2014
Severe thunderstorms producing very large hail and damaging winds moved across portions of Southeast Montana.
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2013
A moist, easterly flow and unstable atmosphere resulted in the development of heavy thunderstorms across portions of the Billings Forecast Area. The heaviest thunderstorms occurred just south of Billings, as well as across the Montana/North Dakota border.
Flash Flood — May 18, 2013
Several slow moving thunderstorms producing hail and very heavy rain in a short period of time moved across portions of Custer and Fallon Counties.
Flood — May 20, 2011
A Pacific low moved into the four corners region on the 17th and migrated northeast into the Dakotas through the 22nd, bringing another round of heavy precipitation aided by a tap of Gulf of Mexico moisture. Another system passed to the south on the 23rd and 24th, continuing the precipitation across the area. A new all-time daily precipitation record for Billings was set on May 24th. These two ...
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 Fallon 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 Fallon 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.