Enter any address in Pine County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the primary flood hazard in Pine County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 19 flash flood events compared to 4 general flood events. For example, residents experienced flash flooding in July 2018 due to torrential rainfall from storms ahead of a cold front, and again in August 2018, when storms caused street flooding in the Sandstone area.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone X and Zone A have experienced the most flood insurance claims. Zone X properties had an average payout of $21,642 with an average water depth of 9.8 feet, while Zone A properties had an average payout of $31,716 with an average water depth of 5.3 feet. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X_SHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Pine County, Minnesota has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 15 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 (1965–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Apr 11, 2023 |
| 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, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 15, 2018 |
| 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 |
| Mn - Carlos Edge Fire Complex - 10/19/2000 | Fire | Oct 19, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 30, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 24, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 3, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 20, 2012 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 30, 2019
A warm front set up over the region during the early morning hours of the 30th. Torrential rainfall was reported overnight leading to saturated soils in the area. Additional showers and thunderstorms moved over these same areas during the late morning and early afternoon hours and led to isolated areas of flash flooding where water over the roadway led to closed roads.
Flash Flood — Aug 27, 2018
A warm front lifted through Wisconsin the night of the 26th and into the morning of the 27th, leaving a moist and unstable airmass across the region. A cold front in eastern Minnesota pushing east during the afternoon hours provided the lift to initiate storms. The storms caused street flooding and wind damage in the Sandstone area.
Flash Flood — May 24, 2018
A warm front and a low level jet combined to produce persistent storms the night of the 24th. Radar estimates of 3-5.5 over parts of east-central Minnesota led to isolated flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jul 12, 2018
Storms fired ahead of a cold front in a very moist and unstable environment. Storms marched east overnight and featured strong winds, frequent lighting and torrential rainfall that led to flash flooding.
Flood — Oct 3, 2017
Heavy rain caused flooding to parts of northeast Minnesota.
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 Pine 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 Pine 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.