Enter any address in Missoula County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Clark Fork River and areal flooding from heavy precipitation are the dominant flood characteristics in Missoula County. Recent events include river flooding on the Clark Fork River in May 2023 due to snowmelt and rainfall, and in June 2021, which impacted the Orchard Homes area. Periods of heavy rainfall in June 2022 also contributed to both areal and river flooding across Northwest Montana, including the Flathead River.
Homeowners in areas identified as Zone A and Zone X_SHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk. These zones have experienced the highest number of National Flood Insurance Program claims, with Zone A claims averaging over $10,000 and Zone X_SHADED claims averaging nearly $6,000. Properties located near rivers or in low-lying areas are also at increased risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Missoula County, Montana has recorded 36 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 3 flash floods and 33 river or area floods. The county has received 20 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 (1974–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-line Winds | Straight-Line Winds | Jul 24, 2024 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 1, 2018 |
| Rice Ridge Fire | Fire | Aug 28, 2017 |
| Lolo Peak Fire | Fire | Aug 17, 2017 |
| Lolo Creek Fire Complex | Fire | Aug 18, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Black Cat Fire | Fire | Aug 16, 2007 |
| Jocko Lakes Fire | Fire | Aug 4, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 3, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 14, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 29, 2018 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Apr 28, 2018 | 15.00K |
| Flood | May 26, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 3, 2023
Snowmelt and rainfall created a steady rise for the Clark Fork River above Missoula. River levels exceeded minor flood stage, and remained there over the course of a week.
Flood — Jun 12, 2022
Periods of convective and upslope precipitation brought areal and river flooding June 11 through June 16. Rainfall of 2 to 6 inches was common for the lower elevations of Northwest Montana between June 11 and June 15. Mountain locations received up to 10 inches of moisture over the same period. River flooding continued well into late June for the Flathead River.
Flood — May 27, 2021
Warm weather combined with recent rainfall caused the Clark Fork River to flood portions of the Orchard Homes area in Missoula.
Flood — Jun 3, 2021
Warm weather combined with recent rainfall caused the Clark Fork River to flood portions of the Orchard Homes area in Missoula.
Flash Flood — Aug 2, 2021
A strong thunderstorm produced excessive rainfall over Big Sky Lake during the afternoon of August 2nd.
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 Missoula 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 Missoula 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.