Enter any address in Sanders County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow has been the dominant flood character in Sanders County, MT over the last 30 years, with 24 flood events recorded by NOAA. Recent events include flooding in May 2018, attributed to above-normal snowpack combined with warmer temperatures, and a significant event in December 2025 caused by a prolonged atmospheric river producing record rainfall and rain-on-snow flooding.
While flood events are common, the National Flood Insurance Program data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced an average water depth of -0.4 feet with an average payout of $44,292. In contrast, Zone X_Unshaded properties, while less frequent in claims, have seen an average water depth of 2.5 feet with a significantly lower average payout of $393. Homeowners and real estate agents in areas near rivers and streams, as well as those in Zone A, should pay particular 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.
Sanders County, Montana has recorded 25 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 24 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 (1974–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Dec 10, 2025 |
| River Road East Fire | Fire | Aug 18, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Highway 200 Fire Complex | Fire | Sep 9, 2017 |
| Moose Peak Fire | Fire | Sep 9, 2017 |
| Ice Jams And Flooding | Flood | Mar 1, 2014 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Cherry Creek Fire -08/06/03 | Fire | Aug 10, 2003 |
| Mt - Northwestern Zone 1 Fire Complex | Fire | Aug 14, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 11, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 11, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 19, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 7, 2014 | 4.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2010 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Nov 7, 2006 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 19, 2005 | — |
| Flood | Jun 2, 2005 | 700K |
Flood — Dec 11, 2025
Record precipitation fell as a prolonged atmospheric river event gripped the region from December 6 through 12. Much like a garden hose being moved back and forth, the jet stream shifted the focus of this moisture plume across the Pacific Northwest, repeatedly drenching parts of northern Idaho and western Montana. Between December 10 and 11, 2025, the atmospheric river specifically focused on n...
Flood — May 24, 2018
Above normal snowpack combined with a warmer than normal month of May contributed to flooding across western Montana.
Flood — May 18, 2018
Above normal snowpack combined with a warmer than normal May contributed to flooding across western Montana.
Flood — May 11, 2018
Snow pack up to 200 percent of normal combined with above normal temperatures contributed to flooding across western Montana.
Flood — Mar 19, 2017
Due to recent heavy rain and snow-melt, several main-stem rivers experienced minor 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 Sanders 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 Sanders 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.