Enter any address in Nobles County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Nobles County. Recent events include widespread flooding from 5 to 10 inches of rain across southwest Minnesota in June 2024, causing major to record river flooding and extensive overland flooding. In June 2020, slow-moving thunderstorms produced over 2.7 inches of rain in Worthington, leading to flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $3,220 and an average water depth of 0.9 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also seen claims with a higher average water depth of 5.0 feet, though with fewer total claims. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near streams and rivers, 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.
Nobles County, Minnesota has recorded 34 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 24 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2024)
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 Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 12, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 15, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jun 11, 2014 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Apr 9, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 22, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 6, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 3.60M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2019 | 316.00K |
| Flood | Sep 12, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 16, 2014 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Jun 15, 2014 | 0.00K |
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 ...
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2020
With deep moisture resulting in around 1.75 inches precipitable water, slow-moving thunderstorms along a cold front brought 2.74 inches of rainfall at Worthington during the afternoon of June 18.
Flash Flood — Jul 6, 2020
Training thunderstorms late overnight and early morning resulted in around 2 to 5 inches of rainfall over a few hours in southwest Minnesota.
Flood — Mar 13, 2019
Rainfall of one to three inches on frozen ground and into a snow pack with between 3 and 6 inches of liquid water equivalent resulted in considerable overland flooding.
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 Nobles 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 Nobles 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.