Enter any address in Richland County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Richland County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 16 flash flood events and 21 flood events. For example, heavy rains from thunderstorms caused flash flooding on May 27, 2023, and again on June 19, 2019, following similar atmospheric conditions.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A and Zone X have experienced significant payouts. While Zone A had one claim averaging $20,385, Zone X had two claims averaging $29,246 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X, particularly those near waterways or in locations with a history of flooding, should pay close attention to 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.
Richland County, Montana has recorded 37 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 21 river or area floods. The county has received 8 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 (1997–2021)
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 |
| Ice Jams And Flooding | Flood | Mar 1, 2014 |
| 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,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 | Aug 7, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 27, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 24, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 19, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 28, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 10, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 31, 2013 | 0.00K |
Flood — Aug 7, 2025
A low pressure system from western Canada dropped into the area, creating an unstable environment with sufficient upper level wind shear for severe thunderstorms to develop. Some severe wind gusts caused damage to some buildings.
Flash Flood — May 27, 2023
A large area of thunderstorms moved up into our area from southeastern Montana. Although the far southern area was under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch, no severe storms occurred over our region. However the storms that did make it up into our area produced heavy rains which led to some flash flooding.
Flood — Mar 24, 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.
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 — Jun 19, 2019
An approaching low pressure disturbance from the west combined with an atmosphere favorable for storm development, to form strong thunderstorms, some of which became severe, including very efficient downpours, resulting in many reports of flash flooding.
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 Richland 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 Richland 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.