Enter any address in Cook County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the most common flood event in Cook County, MN, with 17 recorded instances in the last 30 years. Other flood types, including general flooding and coastal flooding, have occurred less frequently. Recent events include flash flooding in Ely during July 2025 and isolated flash flooding in the Arrowhead region in August 2025, both associated with severe thunderstorms.
Homeowners in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded should be aware of potential flood risks. While Zone X has seen more claims, Zone X_Unshaded has experienced higher average water depths. Residents in these zones, particularly those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) designation, should pay close attention to flood advisories and warnings.
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.
Cook County, Minnesota has recorded 21 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 17 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 10 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 16, 2024 |
| 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 And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 14, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 16, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 6, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 4, 1999 |
| Drought | Drought | Jun 17, 1976 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 12, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 12, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 3, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 3, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2014 | 1.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2025
Severe storms moved across northeastern Minnesota the morning of the 23rd ahead of a cold front. Storms began in Cass County where they produced tree damage and a measured gust of 64 mph in Walker. As they moved to the northeast, they lost their strength, but became heavy rain producers which led to some minor flooding in the city of Ely during the late morning hours.
Flash Flood — Aug 9, 2025
Another complex of thunderstorms developed the night of the 8th into the 9th across the Northern Plains and pushed eastward across the Northland during the morning hours. This round was not as intense as the round the previous morning, but did still produce some damaging winds and isolated flash flooding in parts of the Arrowhead as it moved through.
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2024
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, a stationary surface front, in conjunction with an anomalously moist airmass over the Northland, resulting in widespread flash flooding. NWS Duluth issued seven Flash Flood Warnings (across much of NE MN and the Bayfield Peninsula), three of which were upgraded to include a considerable tag for life threatening flash flooding. Additionally, severe thunderstorms occurr...
Flash Flood — May 13, 2022
A low pressure system moved northward from the Central Plains to the Northern Plains on May 12th and lifted a warm front across the Northland bringing two rounds of storms to the region. The first round during the afternoon hours were prolific hail producing storms with the largest hail stones being ping pong ball sized. Another round of storms arrived during the early evening hours and contain...
Flood — May 12, 2022
A low pressure system moved northward from the Central Plains to the Northern Plains on May 12th and lifted a warm front across the Northland bringing two rounds of storms to the region. The first round during the afternoon hours were prolific hail producing storms with the largest hail stones being ping pong ball sized. Another round of storms arrived during the early evening hours and contain...
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 Cook 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 Cook 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.