Enter any address in Sheridan County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding from snowmelt and ice jams is the primary flood hazard in Sheridan County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 11 flood events and 4 flash flood events. For example, in March 2017, warmer temperatures caused snowpack to melt, leading to flooding along roadways due to saturated soils and ice-jammed culverts. Similar conditions occurred in February 2017 when an early thaw caused river levels to rise and ice jams to form.
While most flood claims in the county are in zones with unknown flood risk, one claim averaged a $73 payout with 1.0 ft of water depth. Residents living near streams and rivers, or in areas prone to ice jams, should pay the most 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.
Sheridan County, Montana has recorded 15 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 4 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 6 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 (2000–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 10, 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 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Oct 31, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Feb 21, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 18, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 16, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 12, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 17, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 7, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 3, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2004 | — |
Flood — Feb 21, 2017
An early season thaw caused snowpack to melt and ice to break up, which allowed water to rise along main stem waterways. Some sections of rivers prone to developing ice jams, did so during this period.
Flood — Mar 18, 2017
A warmer than normal period for early March allowed much of the remaining seasonal snowpack to melt. With already saturated soils across the area, the melt water easily caused flooding conditions as the run-off was quickly directed through small streams and creeks toward the larger main-stem rivers. Some effected culverts remained partially ice-jammed and were unable to handle the volume of wa...
Flood — Mar 16, 2017
A warmer than normal period for early March allowed much of the remaining seasonal snowpack to melt. With already saturated soils across the area, the melt water easily caused flooding conditions as the run-off was quickly directed through small streams and creeks toward the larger main-stem rivers. Some effected culverts remained partially ice-jammed and were unable to handle the volume of wa...
Flood — Mar 12, 2015
The first major warm-up of the season earlier this month was enough to begin breaking up the ice and start the creeks running, which impacted a some of the smaller drainage basins across northeast Montana through mid-month.
Flood — Jun 17, 2011
Two to three inches of rain fell across the already saturated soils to raise creek and stream levels. Much of this rain fell in southern Saskatchewan, therefore the tributaries from there had the worse 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 Sheridan 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 Sheridan 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.