Enter any address in Lincoln County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Lincoln County experiences flooding primarily from heavy rainfall events, with both general flooding and flash flooding occurring. Recent significant events include widespread flooding in June 2024, following 5 to 10 inches of rain across southwest Minnesota, which caused major to record river flooding and extensive overland flooding. In April 2023, rapid snowmelt contributed to minor to moderate flooding along the Big Sioux River Basin.
While the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has recorded few claims in Lincoln County, one claim in Zone X resulted in an average payout of $7,496 with an average water depth of -4.0 feet. Another claim in Zone X_Unshaded had no payout and a 0.0 feet water depth. Homeowners in areas near streams and rivers, as well as those in zones with less defined flood risk, should pay close attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lincoln County, Minnesota has recorded 33 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 5 flash floods and 28 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 8, 2022 |
| 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, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jul 1, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 22, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Nov 27, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| 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 | Jun 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 12, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 8, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 27, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 22, 2024
A multi-day significant heavy rainfall event from June 20-22 resulted in widespread rain totals between 5 and 10 inches across southwest Minnesota. As rainfall reached area streams and rivers, major to record flooding was observed, devastating multiple towns and communities. Extensive overland flooding also resulted in significant impacts and damages. All river crest information is preliminary ...
Flash Flood — Jun 21, 2024
A second mesoscale convective system in as many nights developed across southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota in the late afternoon and early evening in response to a weak mid-level wave and warm advection over a stalled frontal boundary to the south. Rainfall rates up to 2 to 3 inches per hour on top of previously saturated soil resulted in local flash flooding.
Flood — Jun 21, 2024
A multi-day significant heavy rainfall event from June 20-22 resulted in widespread rain totals between 5 and 10 inches across southwest Minnesota. As rainfall reached area streams and rivers, major to record flooding was observed, devastating multiple towns and communities. Extensive overland flooding also resulted in significant impacts and damages. All river crest information is preliminary ...
Flood — Apr 12, 2023
Rapid snowmelt from a few day period of well above normal temperatures focused on the 11-13th of April resulted in minor to locally moderate flooding through much of the Big Sioux River Basin. Some areas north of I-90 lost between 2 to 5 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE) from the first to second week of April, but antecedent drought conditions resulted in only a percentage of this water act...
Flood — Apr 9, 2023
Rapid snowmelt from a few day period of well above normal temperatures focused on the 11-13th of April resulted in minor to locally moderate flooding through much of the Big Sioux River Basin. Some areas north of I-90 lost between 2 to 5 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE) from the first to second week of April, but antecedent drought conditions resulted in only a percentage of this water act...
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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.