FEMA puts Helena’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, led by ice storms
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Helena gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is ice storms (45%), then river and rain flooding (32%). 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 Helena faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Ice storms
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Helena’s grade
Ice storms are 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Helena, and Helena’s rate of ice storms damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Helena’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Helena: $568K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Helena flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Helena. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Helena isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alfalfa County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Helena
Disasters that paid out in Helena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Helena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Severe Winter Storm$11K to the Town of Helena for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$2K to the Town of Helena for repairs
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$1K to the Town of Helena for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Ice Storm$4K to the Town of Helena for repairs
Alfalfa County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Helena after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Helena archive →Get ready for what Helena faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Helena
Is Helena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Helena has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is ice storms (45%) and river and rain flooding (32%). 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.
Is Helena 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 Alfalfa County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Helena?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Helena’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 Helena?
By FEMA money that reached Helena, Severe Winter Storm (2020): $11K to the Town of Helena for repairs.
Is Helena at risk from ice storms?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Helena’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Helena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Helena’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.