Photo: Itsa Ortiz · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hamilton than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #31 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (58%), then river and rain flooding (32%). 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 Hamilton faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
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 Hamilton’s grade
Wildfire is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamilton, and Hamilton’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C #31 of 42 in Montana; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hamilton’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, Hamilton has more expected damage per building than 73% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Hamilton: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamilton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hamilton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hamilton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ravalli County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hamilton
Disasters that paid out in Hamilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hamilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds$38K to the City of Hamilton for repairs
Ravalli 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Ravalli County, 2000–2017.
Old photos of Hamilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamilton archive →Get ready for what Hamilton faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hamilton
Is Hamilton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #31 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (58%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hamilton 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 Ravalli County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hamilton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamilton’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 Hamilton?
By FEMA money that reached Hamilton, Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds (2025): $38K to the City of Hamilton for repairs.
Is Hamilton at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Hamilton’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamilton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamilton’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.