Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Laurel than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurel gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #11 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Laurel 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 Laurel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laurel, and Laurel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #11 of 42 in Montana; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laurel’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, Laurel has less expected damage per building than 76% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Laurel: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laurel flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Laurel, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Laurel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yellowstone County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laurel
Disasters that paid out in Laurel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Laurel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding18 households applied for aid$72K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$8.5M to the City of Laurel for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Yellowstone County has had 5 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Yellowstone County, 2006–2021.
Old photos of Laurel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laurel archive →Get ready for what Laurel 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 Laurel
Is Laurel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurel has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #11 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Laurel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Laurel since 1978, $99K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Laurel 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 Yellowstone County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Laurel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laurel’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 Laurel?
By FEMA money that reached Laurel, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 17 households applied for aid, $35K approved, and $8.5M to the City of Laurel for repairs.
Is Laurel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Laurel’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laurel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laurel’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.