One month after historic wind and flooding events battered communities across Northwest Montana, state insurance officials returned to the region this week to hear directly from residents and provide guidance on recovery and future preparedness.
Insurance Commissioner James Brown and staff from the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) held a community forum and listening session in Libby, part of a broader outreach effort in Lincoln, Sanders, and Flathead counties, as well as on the Blackfeet Reservation. The December storms caused widespread property damage, flooding homes, cutting off roads, and leaving families and businesses struggling to recover.
Brown said CSI’s team has been working on the ground to help impacted Montanans navigate insurance claims and better understand flood insurance coverage — an issue many residents are confronting for the first time.
“Meeting with Montanans across these communities, we are hearing firsthand about the true extent of the devastation families have experienced,” Brown said. “People are returning to homes filled with floodwater and debris, unsure whether their insurance will cover the damage.”
As part of the visit, Lincoln County Commissioner Brent Teske provided CSI staff with a tour of damaged sites throughout the area. Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) staff member Traci Sears also briefed officials on ongoing mitigation efforts aimed at reducing future flood risks.
Residents shared stories of flooded homes, damaged infrastructure, and interrupted livelihoods. Small business owners described struggling to reopen, while homeowners said they were still trying to determine what losses might be covered under their policies.
Brown noted that many are learning a difficult lesson about the limits of standard homeowners insurance.
“Unfortunately, many folks who sustained property damage have scant options available to help them rebuild,” Brown said. “Standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover flood damage, meaning some of the most serious losses Montanans have suffered may not be covered by their existing policies.”
He added that similar situations have followed past flood events across the state.
“In prior floods, only a small fraction of homeowners had separate flood insurance,” Brown said. “That left many families with only one option — paying out of pocket to rebuild.”
Brown urged Montanans to take proactive steps to protect their homes and finances by reviewing insurance coverage and considering flood insurance, particularly in areas prone to severe weather.
The Libby listening session was hosted by CSI in partnership with Sen. Mike Cuffe of Eureka, who joined local officials in encouraging residents to share their experiences and concerns.
State officials said the outreach will continue in affected areas as recovery efforts move forward and communities work to prepare for future weather-related disasters.