Enter any address in Polk County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Polk County, MN. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 38 flash flood events and 24 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding from widespread thunderstorms on June 18, 2024, and heavy rainfall contributing to flash flooding on August 29, 2024.
NFIP claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $29,024 and an average water depth of 9.3 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED also show a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $26,003 and an average water depth of 15.3 feet, despite being considered moderate flood risk areas. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and those in areas with less defined flood risk should pay close attention to potential flood hazards.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Polk County, Minnesota has recorded 62 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 38 flash floods and 24 river or area floods. The county has received 31 federal disaster declarations, 17 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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 And Flooding | Flood | Mar 16, 2011 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Tornado | Jun 17, 2010 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 1, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 16, 2009 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 30, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 29, 2024 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2024 | 0.50K |
| Flood | May 25, 2024 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Apr 22, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 8, 2019 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 30, 2016 | 5.00K |
Flood — Aug 29, 2024
An 850mb jet aided in the development of thunderstorm clusters in the morning hours of August 29th. Wind was the main threat, with some reports of flash flooding from heavy rainfall.
Flash Flood — Aug 29, 2024
An 850mb jet aided in the development of thunderstorm clusters in the morning hours of August 29th. Wind was the main threat, with some reports of flash flooding from heavy rainfall.
Flood — May 25, 2024
Heavy Rain brought on river flooding in late May of 2024 in Minnesota.
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2024
Widespread thunderstorms affected eastern ND and northwestern MN in the early morning hours of June 18th.
Flood — Apr 22, 2023
Snowmelt flooding along the Minnesota Tributaries began in mid-April, with a few locations persisting into early May.
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 Polk 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 Polk 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.