Photo: J.B. Chandler · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Fort Benton than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Benton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 Fort Benton 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
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 Fort Benton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Benton, and Fort Benton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fort Benton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Fort Benton: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Benton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Fort Benton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Fort Benton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chouteau County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Fort Benton
Disasters that paid out in Fort Benton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fort Benton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Chouteau 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.
Old photos of Fort Benton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Benton archive →Get ready for what Fort Benton 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.
- 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 Fort Benton
Is Fort Benton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Benton has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 Fort Benton 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 Chouteau County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Benton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Benton’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 Fort Benton?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Benton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 2 households applied for aid, $8K approved.
Is Fort Benton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Fort Benton’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Benton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Benton’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.