Flood in Montana

Events

699

Deaths

8

Injuries

0

Damage

$74 million

• Flooding in Montana, May 20 to 31, 20112 deaths · $14 million · 13 eventsA Pacific low moved into the four corners region on the 17th and migrated northeast into the Dakotas through the 22nd, bringing another round of heavy precipitation aided by a tap of Gulf of Mexico moisture.
• Flooding in Montana, June 4 to 14, 19963 deaths · 2 eventsMajor damage from flooding occurred mainly in Ravalli County were numerous roads were flooded and washed out.
• Flood and Heavy Rain in Montana, May 16 to 22, 20232 deaths · $60,000 · 4 eventsSpring rains across the area resulted in additional high elevation snowmelt which led to elevated water levels along many creeks and streams. Belt Creek flooded for a second time this month. Water levels crested at 6.78 feet at the river gauge along Belt Creek near Monarch.
• Tornado and Flash Flood in Montana, June 16 to 17, 20101 death · 1 injured · $327,000 · EF1 · 22 eventsA strong system ejecting out of the central Rockies brought heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms to the area during the evening. This episode produced an EF1 tornado in northern McCone county and a microburst in eastern Roosevelt county that killed one person near Froid, MT.
• Blizzard and Flooding in Montana, May 6 to 8, 2024$3.0 million · 76 kt wind · 65 eventsA closed upper level low lifted northeast across eastern Montana on May 6th through the 9th. This low merged with a shortwave streaming from the Pacific Northwest.
• Flooding and Strong Wind in Montana, December 10 to 12, 2025$35 million · 5 eventsRecord precipitation fell as a prolonged atmospheric river event gripped the region from December 6 through 12.
• Flooding in Montana, May 16, 19961 death · 2 eventsAn 18-month year old boy drowned in Antrim Creek near Florence, when playing along the swollen creek. He slipped into the creek and was swept away.
• Flood and Hail in Montana, July 31, 1998$9.0 million · 1.25 in hail · 8 eventsNumerous observations of large hail were reported by spotters, amateur radio operators and National Weather Service personnel. The hail damaged several vehicles in the Billings area, and also caused heavy damage to crops.
• Flooding in Montana, April 7 to 14, 2023$5.3 million · 9 eventsUnseasonably warm temperatures occurred in the first two weeks of April, with highs near 80 degrees occurring at times.
• Flooding in Montana, May 23 to 31, 2011$6.0 million · 3 eventsA Pacific low moved into the four corners region on the 17th and migrated northeast into the Dakotas through the 22nd, bringing another round of heavy precipitation aided by a tap of Gulf of Mexico moisture.
• Tornado and Flash Flood in Montana, June 16 to 17, 2010$14,000 · EF2 · 20 eventsThe first major severe weather episode occurred on the afternoon and evening of the 16th as a moist and unstable atmosphere was in place across the Billings Forecast Area.|Low-level moisture combined with a southwest flow aloft and strong jet stream provided the necessary…
• Tornado and Flash Flooding in Montana, July 1 to 23, 1997$546,000 · F0 · 38 eventsSix inches of rain in less than 4 hours caused flash flooding. The town of Terry was inundated. Both Terry and Fallon reported extensive street flooding. A section of Interstate 90 by Terry had water running across it. Several washouts were reported on gravel county roads.
• Flooding in Montana, May 1 to 31, 1997$2.3 million · 6 eventsSnowmelt flooding caused numerous road closures and road washouts throughout the region. In Flathead County, at least three road washouts were reported and one bridge damaged.
• Flooding in Montana, August 23 to 31, 2014$1.6 million · 7 eventsA very wet and slow-moving low pressure system stalled over Montana and directed near-continuous rainfall over central and northeastern portions of the state for several days. Rainfall totals ranged from 5 to 10 inches in the affected area.
• Flash Flooding and Flooding in Montana, June 6 to 29, 1997$295,000 · 1.75 in hail · 36 eventsFive inches of rain falling in less than 3 hours caused flash flooding along Dead Horse Creek. The gravel road running from Hwy 200 to Hwy 22 had numerous washouts.
• Flooding in Montana, March 11 to 13, 1996$1.5 million · 2 eventsA rapid warming of temperatures, after an extended cold, snowy period, caused ice jams and flooding problems across north central Montana. Many small streams went out of their banks, washing out numerous roads.
• Flooding in Montana, March 21 to 28, 2019$804,000 · 7 eventsFlooding occurred across many areas of south central and southeast Montana during the latter portions of the month. A considerable snow cover existed through the month. Surface and sub-surface ground temperatures remained frozen through the last week of March.
• Tornado and Flash Flooding in Montana, June 5 to 10, 2023$500,000 · 1 in hail · 15 eventsSeveral rounds of rain and thunderstorms affected much of Montana during the first half of June. Flash flooding occurred across portions of the region, especially across Fergus County as well as the Rocky Mountains.
• Flooding in Montana, March 12 to 13, 2003$750,000 · 4 eventsWith a major snowstorm falling in the mountains in the Helena Valley on March 6th through the 10th, and temperatures quickly rising to near 70 degrees by the 12th, a rapid snow melt occurred in the mountains. This snow melt quickly filled all small streams and creeks.
• Flooding in Montana, February 7 to 11, 1996$733,000 · 4 eventsWarmer temperatures, after an extended cold and snowy period, caused numerous flooding problems across central Montana during the second week of February. Snowmelt over frozen ground caused streams and rivers to go out of their banks, washing out roads and bridges.
• Flooding in Montana, June 2 to 5, 2005$701,000 · 2 eventsThree days of moderate to heavy rain on top of snow pack in the Mission and Swan Mountains caused small creeks to flood with mud and debris flows causing damage. Total rainfall amounts ranged from 2.50 inches in the valleys, and 4 to 7 inches over higher terrain in Lake County.
• Flooding in Montana, May 5 to 16, 2018$452,000 · 8 eventsThe combination of above normal mountain snow-pack up to 200% of normal and warmer than normal temperatures in the month of May led to continued and new river flooding. Missoula County reported that the tally for damage was to the amount of $450,000.
• Flash Flood and Flooding in Montana, June 12 to 26, 2022$500,000 · 5 eventsPeriods of convective and upslope precipitation brought areal and river flooding June 11 through June 16. Rainfall of 2 to 6 inches was common for the lower elevations of Northwest Montana between June 11 and June 15.
• Flood in Montana, July 1 to 11, 2011$600,000 · 1 eventAlthough no significant synoptic spring system moved across the Billings forecast area, warm late June and early July temperatures resulted in rapid mountain snow melt runoff and flooding.
• Blizzard and Flooding in Montana, May 9 to 15, 2016$450,000 · 5 eventsA very strong low pressure system from the pacific northwest stalled over southern Montana and northern Wyoming with plentiful moisture.

Flood everywhereEvery kind of event in Montana

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.