Understanding flood risk

Flooding is the most common disaster in the United States. Severe flooding can cause immense damage. In many cases, entire livelihoods can be wiped out by a flood. It’s important to understand your flood risk; by understanding your flood risk you are better able to protect your family and property from harm. The Montana floodplain mapping program works with FEMA and communities across the state to identify flood risks. Identifying flood risk can help keep your home and local community safe from future flood events. Floodplain maps are one tool in learning and understanding flood risk.

Flood risk changes over time, and floodplain maps will require periodic updates. Several factors can change flood risk such as the age of the flood study, if there has been a lot of change or development in the area, or due to a flooding event. Flood studies today use the best available data and technology. This includes high-accuracy topographic information, updated hydrologic data and modern engineering methods.