Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Montrose’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montrose gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2006.
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 Montrose’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Montrose 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
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 Montrose’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montrose, and Montrose’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Montrose’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $353K a year in losses across Montrose: $280K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montrose flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montrose, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Montrose isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Susquehanna County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Montrose
Disasters that paid out in Montrose itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Montrose), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee24 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides104 households applied for aid$198K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan28 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
Susquehanna County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Montrose after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montrose archive →Get ready for what Montrose 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Montrose
Is Montrose at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montrose has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (14%). 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 Montrose flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Montrose since 2006, $18K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Montrose 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 Susquehanna County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Montrose?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montrose’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 Montrose?
By FEMA money that reached Montrose, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 104 households applied for aid, $198K approved.
Is Montrose at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Montrose’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montrose.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montrose’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.