Photo: Hog Farm · CC BY-SA 4.0Billings’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Billings gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (14%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Billings 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
Tornadoes
Ice storms
Strong wind
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.
What’s behind Billings’ grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Billings, and Billings’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Billings’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $497K a year in losses across Billings: $336K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Billings flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Billings. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Billings isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Christian County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Billings
Disasters that paid out in Billings itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Billings), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$17K to the City of Billings for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$7K to the City of Billings for repairs
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding94 households applied for aid$54K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding40 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
Christian County has had 19 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 Billings after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Billings archive →Billings and its neighbors
Billings is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clever | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Billings | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Billings 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.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Billings
Is Billings at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Billings has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Billings 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 Christian County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Billings?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Billings’ 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 Billings?
By FEMA money that reached Billings, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2006): 94 households applied for aid, $54K approved.
Is Billings at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Billings’ rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Billings.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Billings’ 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.