Photo: Chris06 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bozeman than in 69% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bozeman gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #14 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (48%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Bozeman’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bozeman faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Hail
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 Bozeman’s grade
Earthquakes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bozeman, and Bozeman’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 43% (lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #14 of 42 in Montana; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bozeman’s residents live in 15 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Montana town has lower expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bozeman has less expected damage per building than 68% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $25.6M a year in losses across Bozeman: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bozeman flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bozeman, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bozeman is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Gallatin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bozeman
Disasters that paid out in Bozeman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bozeman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2001Severe Winter Storms$305K to the City of Bozeman for repairs
Gallatin County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Gallatin County, 2000–2020.
Old photos of Bozeman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bozeman archive →Get ready for what Bozeman faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Bozeman residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bozeman
Is Bozeman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bozeman has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #14 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (48%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bozeman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Bozeman since 1979, $199K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bozeman 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, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bozeman?
Bozeman is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bozeman?
By FEMA money that reached Bozeman, Severe Winter Storms (2001): $305K to the City of Bozeman for repairs.
Is Bozeman at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Bozeman’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bozeman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bozeman’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.