Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Glendive faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glendive gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #19 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1978.
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 Glendive 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
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 Glendive’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glendive, and Glendive’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #19 of 42 in Montana; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glendive’s residents live in 2 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, Glendive has less expected damage per building than 56% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.5M a year in losses across Glendive: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glendive flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glendive, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Glendive isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dawson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Glendive
Disasters that paid out in Glendive itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Glendive), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the City of Glendive for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Dawson County has had 6 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 Glendive after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glendive archive →Glendive and its neighbors
Glendive 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Glendive | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Glendive | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Glendive 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.
- 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 Glendive
Is Glendive at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glendive has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #19 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and strong wind (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Glendive flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Glendive since 1978, $12K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Glendive 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 Dawson County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Glendive?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glendive’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 Glendive?
By FEMA money that reached Glendive, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $17K to the City of Glendive for repairs.
Is Glendive at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Glendive’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glendive.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glendive’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.