Billings, MT Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Billings faces flooding from the Yellowstone River and its tributaries during spring snowmelt. Rapid runoff from surrounding rimrocks and coulees can cause flash flooding in urban areas.
Yellowstone County has recorded 272 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $2.3M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 8
NFIP Policies
362
Yellowstone County
Avg. Premium
$965/yr
Yellowstone County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Yellowstone County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $29.3M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Yellowstone County
Yellowstone County has been included in 3 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Yellowstone County, including Billings.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Yellowstone County
Properties in Yellowstone County have filed 272 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.3M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $8K.
Highest-Claim Years
1978
52 claims - $181K
1997
49 claims - $346K
2011
46 claims - $332K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Yellowstone County
Only roughly 1 in 180 households in Yellowstone County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.6% of estimated households). With 37 recorded flood events and $4.6M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.6%
roughly 1 in 180 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
272 claims over 45+ years across 362 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$8,382
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Yellowstone County has averaged 1 claim for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Billings.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Billings
Billings faces multiple inland flood threats, including riverine flooding from nearby waterways and flash flooding from intense rainfall overwhelming urban drainage systems. Properties near river corridors face the highest risk, but stormwater backup can affect neighborhoods well outside the mapped floodplain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Billings are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $29.3M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Billings depend heavily on a property's elevation relative to nearby waterways and the local drainage infrastructure. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 prices in multiple inland flood sources rather than relying on the flood zone line alone. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood zone boundaries in Billings can shift when FEMA updates its Flood Insurance Studies or when upstream development changes how water moves through the watershed. New stormwater infrastructure or dam modifications can also trigger map revisions. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Billings address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Yellowstone County
Yellowstone County has 15 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
15
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
0
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Yellowstone County
NOAA has recorded 37 flood events in Yellowstone County since 1996, causing $4.6M in damage and 1 death.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Billings, MT Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Billings, MT?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Billings are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Billings?
If your Billings property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Billings?
Enter your Billings address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
What type of flooding affects Billings?
Billings is primarily affected by river overflow combined with urban drainage challenges. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Billings address.
Has Billings experienced major flooding events?
Yellowstone County, where Billings is located, has been part of 3 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storm and Flooding in 2022. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Billings?
Yellowstone County has recorded 272 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.3M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1978, with 52 claims and $181K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Billings.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Billings?
Yellowstone County currently has 362 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $965. The most policies are in Zone AE (213 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Billings properties have flooded repeatedly?
Yellowstone County has 15 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Billings property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Billings?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Billings's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Look Up Any Billings, MT Address
Enter a Billings, MT address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.