Enter any address in Lake County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lake County, MN. Between 1994 and 2024, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 15 flash flood events and 2 flood events. For example, on June 18, 2024, a stationary surface front and a moist airmass resulted in widespread flash flooding, prompting multiple Flash Flood Warnings, some with a "considerable" tag for life-threatening conditions.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $226,391. However, properties in Zone A have seen higher average water depths of 3.0 feet, despite fewer claims. Homeowners in Zone A, 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.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lake County, Minnesota has recorded 17 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 15 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 12 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 (1972–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 16, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Apr 22, 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 16, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Flood | Mar 23, 2001 |
| Severe Storms, Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 4, 1999 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 13, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2012 | 191.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2012 | 1.90M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2008 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 18, 2007 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 1999 | — |
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...
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 — May 13, 2022
A low pressure system moved northward from the Central Plains to the Northern Plains on May 12th and lifted a warm front across the Northland bringing two rounds of storms to the region. The first round during the afternoon hours were prolific hail producing storms with the largest hail stones being ping pong ball sized. Another round of storms arrived during the early evening hours and contain...
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2018
The third and final day of a three day severe weather event across the Northland. A stalled out frontal system finally made a push across the area leading to another round of severe storms and heavy rainfall over areas that had seen dramatic flash flooding the previous night. Widespread rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches plus over northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin sent already swoll...
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2016
Thunderstorms brought heavy rain to parts of the Minnesota North Shore the evening of August 10th. There was flooding over Highway 61 near Silver Bay, MN. There were reports of total rainfall ranging from about 2 to around 6.5 near the Silver Bay area.
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 Lake 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 Lake 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.