Young-Almas House · Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Havre faces less hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Havre gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #13 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Havre 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 Havre’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Havre, and Havre’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #13 of 42 in Montana; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Havre’s residents live in 3 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, Havre has less expected damage per building than 71% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Havre: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Havre flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Havre, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Havre isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hill County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Havre
Disasters that paid out in Havre itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Havre), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding128 households applied for aid$165K aid approved$4K to the City of Havre for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Havre for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$894 to the City of Havre for repairs
Hill 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.
Old photos of Havre after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Havre archive →Havre and its neighbors
Havre has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Havre | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Havre North | — | 890 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Saddle Butte | — | 225 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| West Havre | — | 143 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Havre 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 Havre
Is Havre at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Havre has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #13 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Havre flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Havre since 1978, $19K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Havre 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 Hill County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Havre?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Havre’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 Havre?
By FEMA money that reached Havre, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 128 households applied for aid, $165K approved, and $4K to the City of Havre for repairs.
Is Havre at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Havre’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Havre.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Havre’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.