Enter any address in Clearwater County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Clearwater County. In recent years, residents experienced flash flooding events in April 2022 and August 2020, associated with severe thunderstorms that produced large hail and strong winds.
The county has experienced 15 flood events in the last 30 years, with flash floods occurring more frequently than general floods. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone X_Unshaded have seen the most claims, with an average payout of $23,417 and an average water depth of 4.6 feet. Properties in Zone X have also experienced claims, with an average payout of $6,223 and an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone X_Unshaded or 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.
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clearwater County, Minnesota has recorded 15 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 9 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 16 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2022)
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 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 17, 2000 |
| 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 | Jun 24, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 23, 2022 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2020 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Apr 28, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2013 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Mar 25, 2009 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Jun 14, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 30, 2006 | — |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2006 | — |
Flash Flood — Jun 24, 2023
Surface low pressure system tracked across the North Dakota/South Dakota border creating an environment supporting the threat for low top supercells in Southeastern North Dakota into adjacent West Central Minnesota. Several low-top supercells developed and tracked along portions of the Minnesota Red River Valley. Portions of Norman, Polk, Becker, and Mahnomen counties saw multiple tornadoes. La...
Flash Flood — Apr 23, 2022
Several rounds of severe thunderstorms traversed the region starting on the evening of April 22nd. Initially, large hail was the primary concern, with an increasingly tornadic environment heading into April 23rd. Both hail (up to 1.5 inches) and tornadoes were reported with this system.
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2020
During the very early morning hours of Friday, August 14th, sporadic slow moving severe thunderstorms formed across portions of west central Minnesota. These resulted in reports of large hail, strong wind gusts, and flash flooding. Prior to sunrise and through Friday morning, additional storms developed back westward into southeast North Dakota, and they continued to fire across west central Mi...
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.
Flood — May 1, 2013
Melting snow caused overland flooding across portions of northeast North Dakota. 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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.