Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer) · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Junction
Junction isn’t graded for hazard risk: Junction has 42 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1997.
What Junction faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Strong wind
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
Does Junction flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Junction, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms4 claims · $87K
Junction isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gallatin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Junction
Disasters that paid out in Junction itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Junction), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding66 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Gallatin County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Junction after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Junction archive →Get ready for what Junction faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Junction
Does Junction flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Junction since 1997, $119K in all. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (4).
Is Junction in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Gallatin County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Junction?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Junction’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Junction?
By FEMA money that reached Junction, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 66 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 4 paid, $87K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Junction.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Junction’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.