Graves Hotel · Photo: Mike Cline · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Harlowton
Harlowton isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Harlowton yet. Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1979.
What Harlowton 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.
Does Harlowton flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harlowton, from FEMA’s records.
Harlowton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wheatland County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Harlowton
Disasters that paid out in Harlowton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harlowton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the City of Harlowton for repairs
Wheatland 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 Harlowton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harlowton archive →Get ready for what Harlowton 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 Harlowton
Does Harlowton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Harlowton since 1979, $29K in all.
Is Harlowton 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 Wheatland County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Harlowton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harlowton’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 Harlowton?
By FEMA money that reached Harlowton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $28K to the City of Harlowton for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harlowton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harlowton’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.