Enter any address in Gallatin County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and snowmelt flooding are the dominant flood types in Gallatin County. Recent events include significant runoff into waterways due to unseasonably warm temperatures and melting snowpack in April 2023, leading to moderate to major flooding along the Milk River and its tributaries, as well as across the Gallatin Valley. Additionally, ice jams caused flooding along the Gallatin River near Logan in February 2019.
While flash flooding from heavy thunderstorms has also occurred, such as in Bozeman in August 2021, the data indicates that properties in areas designated as Zone A and Zone X have experienced the most NFIP claims with substantial payouts and reported water depths. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone D, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Gallatin County, Montana has recorded 22 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 2 flash floods and 20 river or area floods. The county has received 9 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1981–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bridger Foothills Fire | Fire | Sep 5, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Jun 3, 2001 |
| Mt - South Central Zone 4 Fire Complex | Fire | Aug 16, 2000 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 13, 2000 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Ice Jams | Severe Storm | Feb 4, 1996 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | May 27, 1981 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 10, 2023 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 6, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 7, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 2, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 23, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 12, 2007 | 0.00K |
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...
Flash Flood — Aug 2, 2021
Anomalously high precipitable water values worked their way into Southwestern Montana, along with weak upper level flow. This combination resulted in slow moving heavy thunderstorms, which produced some impressive rainfall totals in places. For example, a meson site reported over 1.6 of rain, with 1.36 of that falling in just 20 minutes. This lead to some urban flash flooding, with a report out...
Flood — Feb 26, 2019
As a prolonged cold spell continued, a renewed ice jam and associated flooding affected the Ennis area. In addition, a separate ice jam and related flooding developed along the Gallatin River, near Logan.
Flood — Mar 6, 2014
A moist westerly flow aloft brought periods of snow to portions of Central MT and multiple highlights were in effect for different portions of the region.
Flood — Jun 7, 2011
Rain and snowmelt. Presidential Disaster Declaration for Montana made on 6/17/11.
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 Gallatin 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 Gallatin 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.