Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Livingston faces more hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livingston gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #36 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then earthquakes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Livingston 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
Wildfire
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 Livingston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Livingston, and Livingston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 11%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #36 of 42 in Montana; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Livingston’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, Livingston has more expected damage per building than 85% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.8M a year in losses across Livingston: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Livingston flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Livingston, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Livingston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Park County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Livingston
Disasters that paid out in Livingston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Livingston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding174 households applied for aid$881K aid approved$555K to the City of Livingston for repairs
- 2014Ice Jams and Flooding$44K to the City of Livingston for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$118K to the City of Livingston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Park 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Park County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Livingston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Livingston archive →Get ready for what Livingston 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Livingston
Is Livingston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livingston has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #36 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and earthquakes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Livingston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Livingston since 1996, $77K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Livingston 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 Park County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Livingston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Livingston’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 Livingston?
By FEMA money that reached Livingston, Severe Storm and Flooding (2022): 174 households applied for aid, $881K approved, and $555K to the City of Livingston for repairs.
Is Livingston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Livingston’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Livingston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Livingston’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.