Enter any address in Houston County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Mississippi River is a significant flood hazard in Houston County, MN. Recent events include widespread river flooding in June 2024, following heavy rainfall, and significant flooding along the Mississippi River in April and May 2023 due to rapid snowmelt and rain.
Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data indicates 23 flood events and 23 flash flood events, with flash floods resulting in 2 fatalities. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $17,561 and an average water depth of 4.8 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X have also seen claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths.
Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, particularly those located near the Mississippi River or other waterways, should pay close attention to flood risk. Residents in other flood zones, as well as those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) determination, should also be aware of potential flood hazards.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
35 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Houston County, Minnesota has recorded 46 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 23 flash floods and 23 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 9 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 16, 2024 |
| 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 | Sep 21, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 20, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Tornado | Jun 17, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 6, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 18, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 17, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 19, 2019 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 4, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2018 | 145.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2018 | 720.00K |
Flood — Jun 25, 2024
Above normal rainfall over the course of June, combined with a robust rainfall event between June 20th and 22nd, led to widespread river flooding across portions of southeast Minnesota. Rainfall amounts upwards of 7 inches between the 20th and 22nd allowed the Mississippi River, Cedar River and many other river basins in southeast Minnesota to enter flood stage towards the end of June. Flooding...
Flood — Jun 23, 2024
Above normal rainfall over the course of June, combined with a robust rainfall event between June 20th and 22nd, led to widespread river flooding across portions of southeast Minnesota. Rainfall amounts upwards of 7 inches between the 20th and 22nd allowed the Mississippi River, Cedar River and many other river basins in southeast Minnesota to enter flood stage towards the end of June. Flooding...
Flood — Apr 17, 2023
A deeper than average snow pack from northern Minnesota into northern Wisconsin underwent a rapid melt through much of April from unseasonably warm temperatures combined with multiple rain events. This resulted in increased water levels and significant flooding for the entire length of the local Mississippi River, with most sites climbing to their third to fifth highest crests on record. Initia...
Flood — May 1, 2023
The combination of heavy rain and anomalously warm temperatures melting a deeper than average snowpack during April resulted in moderate to major flooding at sites along the Upper Mississippi River in Minnesota. Initial minor flood stage was reached in mid April with near record crests towards the end of April. Drier conditions during the latter half of April and well below normal rainfall thro...
Flood — Sep 19, 2019
Thunderstorms with heavy rain moved across southeast Minnesota during the morning of September 19th. These storms dropped between 2 and 4 inches of rain with the resulting runoff producing some flooding. A campground northwest of Spring Grove (Houston County) had to be evacuated due to flooding along Riceford Creek.
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 Houston 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 Houston 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.