Photo: I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following license: · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Wolf Point’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wolf Point gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #2 of 42 in Montana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then strong wind (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Wolf Point 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
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 Wolf Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wolf Point, and Wolf Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A #2 of 42 in Montana; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wolf Point’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Montana town has lower expected damage than 54% of U.S. towns; within the state, Wolf Point has less expected damage per building than 98% of Montana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Wolf Point: $448K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wolf Point flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wolf Point, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wolf Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Roosevelt County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wolf Point
Disasters that paid out in Wolf Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wolf Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$14K to the City of Wolf Point for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 205 households applied for aid$930K aid approved
Roosevelt County has had 4 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 Wolf Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wolf Point archive →Get ready for what Wolf Point 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Wolf Point
Is Wolf Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wolf Point has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #2 of 42 in Montana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and strong wind (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wolf Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wolf Point since 2011, $9K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wolf Point 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 Roosevelt County, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wolf Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wolf Point’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 Wolf Point?
By FEMA money that reached Wolf Point, (): 205 households applied for aid, $930K approved.
Is Wolf Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Wolf Point’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wolf Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wolf Point’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.