Enter any address in Prairie County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Prairie County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 13 flash flood events and 11 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in August 2018 due to a slow-moving storm system, and heavy rain from thunderstorms causing flash flooding in June 2023.
Residents with properties located near rivers or in areas prone to rapid water accumulation from intense rainfall should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
Prairie County, Montana has recorded 24 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 7 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1997–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Ice Jams And Flooding | Flood | Mar 1, 2014 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 13, 2000 |
| Severe Storms,ice Jams, Snow Melt, Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 1, 1997 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 26, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 29, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 29, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 23, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 19, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 26, 2023
Southwesterly flow aloft enhanced moisture that produced strong thunderstorms in portions of northeast Montana. Heavy rain from these storms led to some flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2019
Warm, moist air and converging surface winds allowed thunderstorms to easily form along a subtle boundary, then suddenly grow severe as they moved toward the east and southeast into an even more favorable environment.
Flash Flood — Apr 29, 2018
Enough instability existed due to an upper level trough and jet streak to produce multiple thunderstorms along the Yellowstone River valley of eastern Montana during the afternoon and evening. A few of these thunderstorms became severe near Terry and Glendive, with the strongest wind gusts exceeding 60 mph.
Flash Flood — Aug 23, 2018
A slow-moving storm system through southern Montana combined with a moderately unstable atmosphere to produce multiple thunderstorms across eastern Montana during the morning hours of August 23rd. One of these stronger storms became severe and a period of heavy rain lead to flash flooding in Prairie County.
Flash Flood — Jun 7, 2018
Warm, moist air and a very unstable atmosphere combined with a trough of low pressure moving through the area to form and sustain multiple severe thunderstorms across much of eastern Montana.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Prairie 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 Prairie 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.