Enter any address in Hennepin County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Hennepin County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 52 flash flood events compared to 10 general flood events. For example, flash flooding occurred across western and east central Minnesota on June 25th, 2025, associated with strong surface heating and developing instability.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $8,644 and an average water depth of 1.8 feet. Zone X also shows a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $7,781 and an average water depth of 0.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED had an average water depth of 1.0 foot.
Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_UNSHADED, and those located near waterways should pay the most attention to 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.
Hennepin County, Minnesota has recorded 62 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 52 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Sep 21, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jun 11, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 20, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | May 21, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 1, 2010 |
| Bridge Collapse | Other | Aug 1, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| 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 | Jun 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 21, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 18, 2014 | 4.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 1, 2014 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2025
A warm front lifted north into southern Minnesota on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 25th. Strong surface heating to the south of the front with dew points in the 70s allowed for ample instability to develop across the area. Scattered thunderstorms developed in response to the instability and flash flooding occurred in western and east central MN. Strong low-level shear allowed these low-topp...
Flood — Jun 16, 2025
Multiple rounds of storms produced several cases of large hail and funnel clouds, as well as two tornadoes in Nicollet county during the afternoon and evening on Monday, June 16th. The largest reported hail (3.25 inches) occurred with a storm the developed over McLeod county and quickly strengthened over Carver county. There was also significant wind damage in the St Cloud area.
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2019
Thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of Tuesday July 16th across southern Minnesota. A few storms developed over the Twin Cities metro area and produced torrential rainfall, and flash flooding around the west, and southwest side of the downtown Minneapolis area.
Flash Flood — Jul 15, 2019
Several clusters of thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of Monday, July 15th in central Minnesota. A few storms also developed ahead of the storms in central Minnesota, and became severe west of the Twin Cities. Hail stones as large as 2 inches in diameter were reported around Delano, and the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. By the late afternoon, and into the evening, these storms ...
Flash Flood — Sep 21, 2016
On the evening of September 20th, a warm front was stretched west to east across southern Minnesota originating from a developing low pressure system across the South Dakota and Nebraska border. The weather pattern, and associated boundaries were nearly stationary through early Thursday morning, September 22nd. The atmosphere was very moist, which was evident in the soundings as near record hig...
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 Hennepin 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 Hennepin 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.