Enter any address in Valley County, Montana to see its FEMA flood zone
Valley County experiences a mix of flood types, with 85 flood events and 38 flash flood events recorded over the last 30 years. Recent events include flooding along numerous streams in the Milk River Watershed in April 2023, attributed to rapidly melting snow from an above-normal snowpack.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths, with an average payout of $11,291 and an average water depth of 5.5 feet. Properties in Zone X also show significant payouts, averaging $8,061 with an average water depth of 6.2 feet, though fewer claims were filed in this zone. Properties with unknown flood zone designations have also filed a substantial number of claims.
Homeowners, journalists, and real estate agents should pay close attention to flood risk, particularly those residing in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X, and properties located near streams and rivers within the Milk River Watershed.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Valley County, Montana has recorded 123 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 38 flash floods and 85 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 6 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 | Apr 10, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 20, 2019 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 12, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 21, 2014 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 19, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 4, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 31, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 7, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 12, 2024
A storm rapidly developed in Saskatchewan, turned right and tracked southeastward into Montana. The storm spawned a couple other storms that would track east-southeast across Montana counties that border Canada. Funnel clouds, tornadoes and large hail were generated with these storms.
Flash Flood — May 25, 2023
A pacific disturbance would end up setting off another round of thunderstorms, with some reaching severe levels.
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 — Apr 11, 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 — Apr 10, 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.
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 Valley 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 Valley 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.