Vaughn's Hall and Blacksmith Shop · Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0For hail, Montello’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montello gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hail (16%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2004.
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 Montello 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
Hail
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 Montello’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montello, and Montello’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Montello’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Montello: $605K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montello flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montello, from FEMA’s records: 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm1 claim · $6K
Montello isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Marquette County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Montello
Disasters that paid out in Montello itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Montello), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides79 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$22K to the City of Montello for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding94 households applied for aid$88K aid approved$95K to the City of Montello for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding64 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$12K to the City of Montello for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Marquette County has had 6 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 Montello after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montello archive →Get ready for what Montello 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Montello
Is Montello at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montello has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hail (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Montello flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Montello since 2004, $110K in all, or 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Montello 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 Marquette County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Montello?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montello’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 Montello?
By FEMA money that reached Montello, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 94 households applied for aid, $88K approved, and $95K to the City of Montello for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Montello at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Montello’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montello.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montello’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.