Enter any address in Phillips County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Milk River Watershed is the dominant flood character in Phillips County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 42 flood events and 13 flash flood events. Recent examples include flooding along numerous streams and river forecast points in the Milk River Watershed in April 2023, attributed to rapidly melting snow from an above-normal snowpack. Similar snowmelt flooding occurred in May 2018, with river levels along the Milk River dropping below flood stage during the first week of May.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone A have experienced significant payouts, with average claim amounts of $14,303 and $8,630 respectively. Properties located in Zone D have also seen claims, with one claim averaging $6,301 and a reported water depth of 14.0 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to river overflow, particularly those near the Milk River and its tributaries, should pay close 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.
Phillips County, Montana has recorded 55 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 42 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 (1986–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding | Flood | Jun 1, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 13, 2000 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Ice Jams, Soil Saturation | Severe Storm | Mar 1, 1996 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Sep 25, 1986 |
| Heavy Rains, Landslides & Flooding | Flood | Feb 24, 1986 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 20, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 18, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 17, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 20, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 17, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 9, 2016 | 0.00K |
Flood — Apr 12, 2023
Rapidly melting snow from an above normal snowpack caused flooding along numerous streams and at many river forecast points in the Milk River Watershed.
Flood — Jun 22, 2019
A stagnant weather pattern over the region, allowed multiple, prolonged thunderstorms to move over the same area. Areas of Petroleum County usually prone to flooding, experienced areal and stream flooding for most of the day.
Flood — Apr 20, 2018
Seasonal spring-time temperatures consistently above freezing allowed the Milk River and its smaller tributaries to begin flowing. This raised the level of the Milk River along most of its official forecast points through the latter half of April.
Flood — Apr 18, 2018
Seasonal spring-time temperatures consistently above freezing allowed the Milk River and its smaller tributaries to begin flowing. This raised the level of the Milk River along most of its official forecast points through the latter half of April.
Flood — Apr 17, 2018
Seasonal spring-time temperatures consistently above freezing allowed the Milk River and its smaller tributaries to begin flowing. This raised the level of the Milk River along most of its official forecast points through the latter half of April.
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 Phillips 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 Phillips 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.