Enter any address in Beltrami County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Beltrami County. Between 1993 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 13 flash flood events and 7 flood events in the county. For example, on July 23, 2025, slow-moving thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall that led to flash flooding and closed streets in Bemidji. Tree debris from an earlier derecho had blocked storm drains, worsening the street flooding. Similarly, on June 9, 2023, a stationary storm over Bemidji dropped 2 to 5 inches of rain, overwhelming the city's storm drains.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded have experienced flooding. In Zone X, one claim averaged $7,287 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. In Zone X_Unshaded, one claim averaged $3,920 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near storm drains or in low-lying areas, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Beltrami County, Minnesota has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 10 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1966–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 22, 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, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jun 11, 2014 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 16, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 16, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 9, 2002 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Flood | Mar 23, 2001 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 19, 2014 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Apr 28, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2011 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Mar 25, 2009 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2005 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2002 | — |
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2025
Slow morning thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall resulting in flash flooding and closed streets in Bemidji, MN during the morning hours. Tree damage debris from the June 20-21 derecho contributed to blocked storm drains and exacerbated street flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 4, 2025
Severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening on the Independence Day Federal Holiday resulted in damaging wind gusts across northwest and west central Minnesota. Flash flooding also caused widespread impacts to Bemidji, MN as a result of heavy rain and tree damage debris from the June 20-21 derecho blocking streets and storm drains.
Flash Flood — Jun 9, 2023
A storm developed over Bemidji, in Beltrami county Minnesota, and was stationary for a period of time. In this period, 2 - 5 inches of rain was estimated over the area from our radar which overwhelmed the city's storm drains.
Flood — Jun 19, 2014
Several rounds of heavy rainfall across north central Minnesota during the month of June resulted in flooding problems around Waskish, in east central Beltrami County. The Tamarac River rose over its banks and surrounded several houses as well as washed out a few roads. Quite a bit of cropland was also flooded.
Flood — Apr 28, 2013
Melting snow caused overland flooding across portions of northwest Minnesota. Many rural roads were closed due to high water from the melting snow.
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 Beltrami 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 Beltrami 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.