Enter any address in Itasca County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood hazard in Itasca County. In June 2024, a stationary surface front and a moist airmass contributed to widespread flash flooding, with some warnings indicating life-threatening conditions. Another flash flood event occurred in June 2025 due to a low-pressure system tracking across the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X (moderate flood risk) have experienced significant payouts, averaging $43,863 with an average water depth of 2.0 feet. Claims in Zone X_Unshaded (low flood risk) were more frequent, averaging $8,595 with 0.2 feet of water. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone X, as well as those in Zone X_Unshaded, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
14 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Itasca County, Minnesota has recorded 27 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 15 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 (1966–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 16, 2024 |
| 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, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 15, 2018 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 14, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 9, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 4, 1999 |
| Severe Thunderstorms, Winds, Flooding, Tornadoes, And Heat | Severe Storm | Jul 9, 1995 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2022 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 21, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 4, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2012 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 16, 2025
An area of low pressure moved from eastern South Dakota to Lake Superior on the 16th. As the low tracked to the northeast, it lifted a warm front into central Minnesota. To the south of the warm front and to the east of a cold front, a very warm and moist unstable airmass was in place. Morning thunderstorms across the region left cloud cover in place over much of the Northland, but areas of cle...
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 — Aug 16, 2022
A weak area of low pressure moved along the International Border on the 16th and led to the development of a few slow moving storms across northern Minnesota. These storms produced some marginally severe hail in addition to heavy rainfall in the Grand Rapids area that led to some minor flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2020
A strong cold front pushed across Minnesota the evening of the 14th and led to the development of a line of storms ahead of the front. As the storms pushed across northeastern Minnesota, they produced all modes of severe weather. Heavy rainfall led to areas of flash flooding, mainly along the western Iron Range. The bulk of the severe reports consisted of damaging wind gusts that brought down n...
Flash Flood — Jul 2, 2018
A low pressure system moved across northern Minnesota. A few storms were strong to severe and featured damaging winds and hail. Saturated grounds from previous rainfall led to some minor flash flooding across the area as well.
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 Itasca 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 Itasca 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.