Enter any address in Otter Tail County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Otter Tail County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 39 flash flood events and 11 general flood events. For example, on August 14, 2020, severe thunderstorms produced both flash flooding and general flooding across the county.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded have experienced the most claims. Zone X_Unshaded claims, though fewer in number, show a significantly higher average water depth of 7.5 feet compared to Zone X's 0.9 feet, with average payouts of $14,173 and $13,219 respectively. Properties in Zone A and Zone Unknown also have a history of claims.
Homeowners in areas designated as Zone X_Unshaded, Zone A, or Zone Unknown should pay particular attention to flood risk. Residents with properties that have historically experienced flooding, or those located in lower-lying areas, are also advised to be aware of potential flood hazards.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
24 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Otter Tail County, Minnesota has recorded 50 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 39 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 17 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 (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 16, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Tornado | Jun 17, 2010 |
| 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 Flooding, High Winds,severe Storms | Flood | Mar 21, 1997 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Jan 3, 1997 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 14, 2020 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Aug 14, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2020 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2020 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2019 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2018 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2016 | 5.00K |
Flood — Aug 14, 2020
During the very early morning hours of Friday, August 14th, sporadic slow moving severe thunderstorms formed across portions of west central Minnesota. These resulted in reports of large hail, strong wind gusts, and flash flooding. Prior to sunrise and through Friday morning, additional storms developed back westward into southeast North Dakota, and they continued to fire across west central Mi...
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2020
During the very early morning hours of Friday, August 14th, sporadic slow moving severe thunderstorms formed across portions of west central Minnesota. These resulted in reports of large hail, strong wind gusts, and flash flooding. Prior to sunrise and through Friday morning, additional storms developed back westward into southeast North Dakota, and they continued to fire across west central Mi...
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2019
Storms intensified during the mid afternoon hours, as temperatures climbed into the mid to upper 80s with dew points in the 70s. These storms continued through the early evening hours, producing large hail, damaging wind gusts, and very heavy rain. Clusters of storms tracked through the Wahpeton-Breckenridge and the Fergus Falls areas. These storms moved fairly slowly, which resulted in the hea...
Flash Flood — Jun 17, 2018
During the evening of June 16th, a weak frontal boundary stretched north-northeast from Watertown in South Dakota, up through Wadena and International Falls in Minnesota. Along the boundary in west central Minnesota, surface dew points held in the lower 70s with precipitable water values around 1.50 inches. Thunderstorms flared up during the evening and produced a few damaging wind gusts in add...
Flash Flood — Jun 16, 2018
During the evening of June 16th, a weak frontal boundary stretched north-northeast from Watertown in South Dakota, up through Wadena and International Falls in Minnesota. Along the boundary in west central Minnesota, surface dew points held in the lower 70s with precipitable water values around 1.50 inches. Thunderstorms flared up during the evening and produced a few damaging wind gusts in add...
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 Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail 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.