Photo: Tracey Elizabeth · CC BY 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Helena than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Helena gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #1 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 16 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 Helena 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
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 Helena’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Helena, and Helena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 27% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A #1 of 42 in Montana; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Helena’s residents live in 10 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, Helena has less expected damage per building than 100% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.3M a year in losses across Helena: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Helena flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Helena, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Helena isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lewis and Clark County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Helena
Disasters that paid out in Helena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Helena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding158 households applied for aid$272K aid approved$18K to the City of Helena for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Lewis and Clark County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lewis and Clark County, 2000–2024.
Old photos of Helena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Helena archive →Helena and its neighbors
Helena has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Helena West Side | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Helena | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Helena Valley West Central | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Helena Valley Northeast | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Helena 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.
- 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 Helena
Is Helena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Helena has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #1 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Helena flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Helena since 1978, $72K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Helena 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 Lewis and Clark County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Helena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Helena’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 Helena?
By FEMA money that reached Helena, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 158 households applied for aid, $272K approved, and $18K to the City of Helena for repairs.
Is Helena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Helena’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Helena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Helena’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.