Enter any address in McCone County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates McCone County's flood events. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 16 flash flood events and 9 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 7, 2019, attributed to a large low-pressure system and unstable atmosphere, and a flood event on March 22, 2019, caused by spring snowmelt, rainfall, and ice jams along area rivers. Another flash flood event occurred on May 26, 2018, following a cold front and unstable atmosphere that produced numerous thunderstorms, leading to some roads washing out.
Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near creeks and rivers that can experience rapid rises due to heavy rainfall or snowmelt, should be particularly attentive to flood risks.
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.
McCone County, Montana has recorded 25 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 9 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 (1986–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-line Winds | Other | Jun 10, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 20, 2019 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Oct 31, 2000 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Sep 25, 1986 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Mar 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 31, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 17, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flood — Mar 22, 2019
Spring season snow melt combined with additional rainfall and ice jams along area rivers, to rise the level of many creeks and rivers above flood stage across northeast Montana through the last several days of March.
Flash Flood — Jul 7, 2019
A large low pressure system from the west, with many smaller-scale disturbances combined with a very unstable atmosphere, to allow several strong to severe thunderstorms to develop and move eastward through northeast Montana.
Flash Flood — May 26, 2018
A cold front extending from a surface low over Saskatchewan, combined with a strong low pressure trough over northeast Montana amid a very unstable atmosphere to produce numerous thunderstorms, some of which became severe. Later in the evening, some of these storms merged together, produced strong winds as they departed Montana. In addition, heavy rain, caused a few roads to wash out.
Flood — May 31, 2013
A prolonged period of enhanced surface mosture streaming into eastern Montana from east to west combined with a short-wave disturbance to produce high rainfall rates across the area over multiple days.
Flash Flood — May 18, 2013
A very moist surface layer combined with a near-stationary, large area of low pressure over the western states to produce slow-moving, efficient downpours.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in McCone 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 McCone 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.