Enter any address in Musselshell County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Musselshell County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 26 flash flood events and 9 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding across portions of the county on June 1, 2023, following isolated thunderstorms that produced heavy rain. Another severe thunderstorm on May 31, 2018, brought flash flooding to the Roundup area, alongside large hail.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A experienced the most claims (24), with an average payout of $33,619 and an average water depth of 23.1 feet. Zone X claims, though fewer (3), had a higher average payout of $9,616, with an unusually high average water depth of 41.7 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X or with unknown flood zone designations, should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Musselshell County, Montana has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 15 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding | Flood | Jun 1, 2023 |
| Bobcat Fire | Fire | Sep 2, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 1, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 21, 2014 |
| Ice Jams And Flooding | Flood | Mar 1, 2014 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 19, 2013 |
| Dahl Fire | Fire | Jun 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 11, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 7, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2013 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jul 28, 2025
A few thunderstorms impacted heavily poplulated areas of eastern Montana, producing localized flooding, gusts up to 70 mph, and hail up to 2 inches in diameter.
Flash Flood — Jun 1, 2023
Isolated thunderstorms produced some hail, but mainly very heavy rain where some flooding occurred across portions of Musselshell County.
Flash Flood — Jul 6, 2022
A couple of severe thunderstorms produced some quarter size hail and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 31, 2018
Several severe thunderstorms moved across the Billings Forecast Area during the late afternoon into the evening hours of the 31st. The most notable severe thunderstorm moved across the Roundup area. This thunderstorm produced very large hail along with flash flooding. A damage survey was conducted which found that a majority of homes and businesses within Roundup experienced some type of hail d...
Flash Flood — Jun 1, 2018
Heavy rain at the end of May combined with a severe thunderstorm that produced flash flooding during the evening of May 31st resulted in high water levels and flooding along the Musselshell River. The river level during the early morning hours of June 1st was 11.5 feet which was 1.5 feet above flood stage.
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 Musselshell 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 Musselshell 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.