Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Miles City’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miles City gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #10 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 106 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 stands out about Miles City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Miles City 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 Miles City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Miles City, and Miles City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #10 of 42 in Montana; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Miles City’s residents live in 5 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, Miles City has less expected damage per building than 78% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Miles City: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Miles City flood? Yes: 106 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Miles City, from FEMA’s records: 26.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Miles City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Custer County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Miles City
Disasters that paid out in Miles City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Miles City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding96 households applied for aid$113K aid approved$302K to the City of Miles City for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
Custer 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Custer County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Miles City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Miles City archive →Get ready for what Miles City 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.
- Miles City residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Miles City
Is Miles City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Miles City has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #10 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Miles City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 106 claims in Miles City since 1978, $374K in all, or 26.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Miles City 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 Custer County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Miles City?
Miles City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Miles City?
By FEMA money that reached Miles City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 96 households applied for aid, $113K approved, and $302K to the City of Miles City for repairs.
Is Miles City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Miles City’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Miles City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Miles City’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.