Photo: Sam Beebe · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Deer Lodge than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deer Lodge gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #7 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1981.
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 Deer Lodge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Deer Lodge 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
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.
What’s behind Deer Lodge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Deer Lodge, and Deer Lodge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 11%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #7 of 42 in Montana; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Deer Lodge’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Montana town has lower expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Deer Lodge has less expected damage per building than 85% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Deer Lodge: $518K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Deer Lodge flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Deer Lodge, from FEMA’s records: 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Deer Lodge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Powell County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Deer Lodge
Disasters that paid out in Deer Lodge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Deer Lodge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$62K to the City of Deer Lodge for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Powell County has had 10 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Powell County, 2000–2025.
Old photos of Deer Lodge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Deer Lodge archive →Get ready for what Deer Lodge 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.
- 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 Deer Lodge
Is Deer Lodge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deer Lodge has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #7 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (16%). 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.
Does Deer Lodge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Deer Lodge since 1981, $120K in all, or 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Deer Lodge 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 Powell County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Deer Lodge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Deer Lodge’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 Deer Lodge?
By FEMA money that reached Deer Lodge, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 12 households applied for aid, $38K approved, and $62K to the City of Deer Lodge for repairs.
Is Deer Lodge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Deer Lodge’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Deer Lodge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Deer Lodge’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.