Enter any address in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood hazard in Kandiyohi County. Between 2004 and 2016, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 15 flood events, including 9 instances of flash flooding and 6 general floods. For example, on August 10, 2016, heavy rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour contributed to widespread rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches in parts of the county. Another event on March 23, 2009, involved ice jams on local waterways combined with heavy rainfall, leading to flooding of roadways and communities.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that while Zone A properties have had fewer claims, Zone X properties have experienced more claims with higher average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone X, as well as those residing near creeks, rivers, or in areas prone to rapid rainfall accumulation, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Kandiyohi County, Minnesota has recorded 15 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 9 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 16 federal disaster declarations, 4 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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jul 1, 2011 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Flood | Mar 23, 2001 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, High Winds, Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 28, 1997 |
| Severe Flooding, High Winds,severe Storms | Flood | Mar 21, 1997 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Jan 3, 1997 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 10, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2016 | 250.00K |
| Flood | Mar 23, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 20, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2005 | — |
| Flash Flood | Sep 12, 2005 | — |
| Flood | Oct 28, 2004 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 24, 2003 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2003 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2002 | — |
Flood — Aug 10, 2016
Several waves of thunderstorms moved across central and southern Minnesota, and into west central Wisconsin between the late afternoon of Wednesday, August 10th, through Thursday morning, August 11th. A few of the storms produced large hail and severe wind gusts as several bow echoes formed. However, the main hazard became the extremely heavy rainfall with bouts of rainfall rates as high as 2 t...
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2016
Several waves of thunderstorms moved across central and southern Minnesota, and into west central Wisconsin between the late afternoon of Wednesday, August 10th, through Thursday morning, August 11th. A few of the storms produced large hail and severe wind gusts as several bow echoes formed. However, the main hazard became the extremely heavy rainfall with bouts of rainfall rates as high as 2 t...
Flood — Mar 23, 2009
A strong area of low pressure moved northward across the upper midwest and combined with unseasonable early Spring gulf moisture to cause a large area of heavy rainfall. Local rainfall totals were in the two to three inch range before the system moved north of the region. Along with the heavy rainfall, and due to thick ice remaining on areal streams, creeks and rivers, ice jams developed and ca...
Flash Flood — Aug 20, 2007
A persistent front spawned thunderestorms with heavy rain.
Flood — Oct 28, 2004
A line of showers and thunderstorms remained nearly stationary over an area stretching from Madison to Willmar during the morning of the 28th. An average of 2 to 4 inches of rain fell between 7 and 11 AM. In Lac Qui Parle County 4.35 inches of rain was reported in Dawson and 2.4 inches fell in Madison. Street flooding was also reported in Madison. In Chippewa County water backed up onto stree...
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 Kandiyohi 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 Kandiyohi 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.