Photo: J.B. Chandler · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Broadus
Broadus isn’t graded for hazard risk: Broadus has 459 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1978.
What Broadus 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
Wildfire
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 Broadus flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Broadus, from FEMA’s records.
Broadus isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Powder River County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Broadus
Disasters that paid out in Broadus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Broadus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Flooding$55K to the Town of Broadus for repairs
- 2012Wildfire$7K to the Town of Broadus for repairs
Powder River County has had 7 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 Powder River County, 2012–2020.
Old photos of Broadus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Broadus archive →Get ready for what Broadus 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Broadus
Does Broadus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Broadus since 1978, $34K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Broadus 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 Powder River County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Broadus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Broadus’ 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 Broadus?
By FEMA money that reached Broadus, Flooding (2019): $55K to the Town of Broadus for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Broadus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Broadus’ 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.