Photo: User:Velela · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Red Lodge faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Lodge gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then wildfire (11%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2011.
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 Red Lodge 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
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 Red Lodge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Lodge, and Red Lodge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #42 of 42 in Montana; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Lodge’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, Red Lodge has more expected damage per building than 100% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Red Lodge: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Lodge flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Lodge, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Yellowstone Flooding7 claims · $1.0M
Red Lodge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carbon County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Lodge
Disasters that paid out in Red Lodge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Red Lodge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding148 households applied for aid$954K aid approved$2.4M to the City of Red Lodge for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$23K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Carbon County has had 8 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Carbon County, 2000–2021.
Old photos of Red Lodge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Lodge archive →Get ready for what Red Lodge 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.
- 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 Red Lodge
Is Red Lodge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Lodge has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and wildfire (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Red Lodge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Red Lodge since 2011, $1.0M in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Yellowstone Flooding (7).
Is Red Lodge 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 Carbon County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Lodge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Lodge’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 Red Lodge?
By FEMA money that reached Red Lodge, Severe Storm and Flooding (2022): 148 households applied for aid, $954K approved, and $2.4M to the City of Red Lodge for repairs. By flood claims, Yellowstone Flooding: 7 paid, $1.0M.
Is Red Lodge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Red Lodge’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Lodge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Lodge’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.