Enter any address in Clay County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall and spring snowmelt are the primary flood concerns in Clay County. Recent events include flash flooding in August 2023 following over three inches of rain, and persistent snowmelt flooding along tributaries in April and May 2023.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $11,607 and water depths averaging 2.1 feet. Claims in unshaded and shaded Zone X areas also indicate substantial risk, with higher average payouts and water depths of nearly three feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in unshaded and shaded Zone X, should pay particular attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
17 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clay County, Minnesota has recorded 57 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 32 flash floods and 25 river or area floods. The county has received 29 federal disaster declarations, 15 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1966–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Apr 11, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 12, 2019 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 16, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 1, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 16, 2009 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 30, 2006 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 24, 2024 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Apr 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 28, 2019 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2019 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2019 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2016 | 2.00K |
Flood — May 24, 2024
Heavy Rain brought on river flooding in late May of 2024 in Minnesota.
Flood — Apr 16, 2023
The spring snowmelt flooding began in late April 2023 and persisted into the early portions of May for some locations.
Flood — Apr 14, 2023
Snowmelt flooding along the Minnesota Tributaries began in mid-April, with a few locations persisting into early May.
Flood — Apr 13, 2023
Snowmelt flooding along the Minnesota Tributaries began in mid-April, with a few locations persisting into early May.
Flash Flood — Aug 5, 2023
After reports of over 3 inches of rain fell, water began to pool in urban areas in Cass and Clay counties. Numerous reports of flooding came in after an areal flood advisory was issued.
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 Clay 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 Clay 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.