Photo: I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following license: · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Shelby’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelby gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #5 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Shelby 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 Shelby’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shelby, and Shelby’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
A #5 of 42 in Montana; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shelby’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, Shelby has less expected damage per building than 90% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Shelby: $987K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shelby flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Shelby. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shelby
Disasters that paid out in Shelby itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shelby), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$266K to the City of Shelby for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$43K to the City of Shelby for repairs
Toole County has had 9 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.
Old photos of Shelby after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shelby archive →Get ready for what Shelby 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 Shelby
Is Shelby at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelby has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #5 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Shelby 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.
How much is flood insurance in Shelby?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shelby’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 Shelby?
By FEMA money that reached Shelby, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 9 households applied for aid, $8K approved, and $266K to the City of Shelby for repairs.
Is Shelby at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Shelby’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shelby.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shelby’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.