HELENA, Mont. – FEMA designated 28 Montana counties as Natural Disaster Areas due to December’s devastating windstorms.
The disaster declaration allows producers to apply for emergency loans from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Extreme winds in December 2025 caused damages and prompted some communities to declare a state of emergency.
FEMA said assistance was primarily available in the following counties: Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Dawson, Flathead, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Lake, Lincoln, McCone, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Ravalli, Rosebud, Sanders, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Valley and Wheatland.
The Emergency Loans can be used to meet recovery means like replacing equipment or livestock, recognizing farming operations and refinancing certain debts.
“FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability,” FEMA said in its announcement about the declaration.
FEMA said the loans apply to damages from the severe windstorms and straight-line winds from December 17-18, 2025.
People can determine their program or loan options using farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet and Loan Assistance Tool, FEMA said.
“To file a Notice of Loss or ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA service center,” FEMA wrote.
The deadline to apply for emergency loans is December 7, 2026.