Enter any address in Garfield County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates Garfield County's flood character. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 20 flash flood events and 16 flood events. Recent examples include widespread heavy rain causing flooding and flash flooding on June 3 and June 2, 2023, following a stagnant weather pattern. Another instance occurred on July 9, 2019, when a slow-moving storm system produced prolonged heavy rain, leading to flash flooding and areal flooding.
Residents with properties located in areas identified by FEMA as high-risk flood zones, particularly those near waterways or in locations prone to rapid water accumulation during intense storms, should pay the most 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.
Garfield County, Montana has recorded 36 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1986–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding | Flood | Jun 1, 2023 |
| Straight-line Winds | Other | Jun 10, 2021 |
| Huff Fire | Fire | Sep 2, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Lodgepole Fire Complex | Fire | Jul 20, 2017 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Mt - Missouri Breaks Complex Fire 07/16/03 | Fire | Jul 17, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 2, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 9, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 24, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 23, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 9, 2023
Heavy rainfall caused the Musselshell River to rise above flood stage for a few hours.
Flood — Jun 3, 2023
A stagnant pattern combined with unusually moist air, led to widespread heavy rain that|generated a round of flooding and flash flooding.
Flood — Jun 2, 2023
Excessive rainfall during early June forced a few rivers in the region to go above flood stage.
Flash Flood — Jun 2, 2023
A stagnant pattern combined with unusually moist air, led to widespread heavy rain that|generated a round of flooding and flash flooding.
Flood — Jul 9, 2022
Shortwave moved through the southwesterly flow aloft that's been parked over the area this week and set off another round of severe thunderstorms over the area this afternoon into the overnight hours. Weather pattern finally changed after the end of this event.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Garfield 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 Garfield 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.