Photo: USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Libby faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Libby gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #33 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1996.
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 Libby 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 Libby’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Libby, and Libby’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #33 of 42 in Montana; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Libby’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, Libby has more expected damage per building than 78% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Libby: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Libby flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Libby, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Libby isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Libby
Disasters that paid out in Libby itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Libby), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding$183K to the City of Libby for repairs
Lincoln 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lincoln County, 2000–2017.
Old photos of Libby after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Libby archive →Get ready for what Libby 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 Libby
Is Libby at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Libby has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #33 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Libby flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Libby since 1996, $95K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Libby 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 Lincoln County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Libby?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Libby’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 Libby?
By FEMA money that reached Libby, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): $183K to the City of Libby for repairs.
Is Libby at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Libby’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Libby.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Libby’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.