Enter any address in Crow Wing County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Crow Wing County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 11 flash flood events and 14 flood events. For instance, torrential rainfall from storms ahead of a cold front led to flash flooding on July 12, 2018. More recently, slow-moving and training thunderstorms near Pine Center produced flash flooding on June 23, 2022.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $7,732 and an average water depth of -18.4 feet. Properties in Zone A have also seen claims, averaging $5,173 with a water depth of 0.8 feet, while Zone X_Unshaded properties had one claim averaging $3,500 with 1.0 foot of water.
Homeowners in areas prone to rapid rainfall accumulation, particularly those in lower-lying zones or without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Crow Wing County, Minnesota has recorded 25 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 11 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 14, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Mn - By-pass Fire - 05/31/2002 | Fire | May 31, 2002 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Flood | Mar 23, 2001 |
| Severe Thunderstorms, Winds, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Heat | Severe Storm | Jul 9, 1995 |
| Drought | Drought | Jun 17, 1976 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Aug 1, 1972 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 17, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 8, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 20, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 19, 2012 | 634.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2012 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 23, 2022
Clear skies through the day with southwesterly flow at the surface lead to rapid heating and moisture advection across the Northland. This lead to the development of thunderstorms during the afternoon hours that were prolific hail producers across the region with the largest hail bring the size of baseballs. Additionally, slow storm movement along with training storms near Pine Center produced ...
Flood — Jul 17, 2020
Storms initiated over North Dakota Friday afternoon and congealed into a large storm complex that marched across Minnesota that evening and into the early morning hours. Damaging winds from the storm complex led to downed trees and minor structural damage in parts of north-central and northeast Minnesota.
Flood — Jul 8, 2020
A potent storm system brought multiple rounds of severe storms to the Northland starting during the early morning hours of the 8th. Very little in the way of severe weather was observed with this initial round of storms. A warm front then lifted across the region through the day, bringing a very moist and unstable airmass to the area. Storms begin firing during the afternoon hours ahead of a co...
Flash Flood — Jul 12, 2018
Storms fired ahead of a cold front in a very moist and unstable environment. Storms marched east overnight and featured strong winds, frequent lighting and torrential rainfall that led to flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 11, 2016
Thunderstorms brought hail and damaging winds to isolated parts of central and east central Minnesota during the afternoon of July 11th, as well as a long period of heavy rains into the evening. A stationary front pumped very humid air into Minnesota later in the day, with precipitable water values reaching around 2 inches, and brought a long duration of moderate to heavy rains to the area. The...
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 Crow Wing 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 Crow Wing 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.