Enter any address in Aitkin County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character in Aitkin County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 16 recorded flood events and 16 flash flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on August 14, 2020, caused by a strong cold front and heavy rainfall, and isolated flash flooding on June 30, 2019, following a complex of thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $9,970 and an average water depth of 4.0 feet. Properties in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded also show significant claims with substantial average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone A and X_Unshaded, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Aitkin County, Minnesota has recorded 32 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 11 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Apr 11, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 29, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 15, 2018 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 14, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Flood | Mar 23, 2001 |
| Severe Storms, Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 4, 1999 |
| Severe Flooding, High Winds,severe Storms | Flood | Mar 21, 1997 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 30, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 26, 2012 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2020
A strong cold front pushed across Minnesota the evening of the 14th and led to the development of a line of storms ahead of the front. As the storms pushed across northeastern Minnesota, they produced all modes of severe weather. Heavy rainfall led to areas of flash flooding, mainly along the western Iron Range. The bulk of the severe reports consisted of damaging wind gusts that brought down n...
Flash Flood — Sep 30, 2019
A warm front set up over the region during the early morning hours of the 30th. Torrential rainfall was reported overnight leading to saturated soils in the area. Additional showers and thunderstorms moved over these same areas during the late morning and early afternoon hours and led to isolated areas of flash flooding where water over the roadway led to closed roads.
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2019
A complex of thunderstorms formed overnight in northern Minnesota then tracked southeast through the early morning hours along an instability gradient. Large hail and wind damage were observed with this system, but due to it occurring during the early morning hours, most of the damage reports were not received until the next morning. Heavy rainfall also led to some isolated flash flooding as well.
Flash Flood — May 24, 2018
A warm front and a low level jet combined to produce persistent storms the night of the 24th. Radar estimates of 3-5.5 over parts of east-central Minnesota led to isolated flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2018
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms along a stationary boundary starting Friday, June 15th, and persisting through the day June 16th, acted to saturate soils across portions of northeast Minnesota. Another round of training storms developed the night of the 16th, fed by a moist low-level jet. Training storms and slow storm motion led to heavy rainfall across Aitkin, Pine and Carlton counties. Thre...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Aitkin County, Minnesota:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Aitkin County, Minnesota that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.