Enter any address in Ramsey County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Ramsey County. Between 1996 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 19 flash flood events and 6 flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in downtown St. Paul on July 21, 2024, where heavy rainfall closed lanes of traffic and stranded a vehicle, and on July 5, 2020, when a nearly stationary thunderstorm caused roads to close around Maplewood.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $7,287 and an average water depth of 4.1 feet. Properties in Zone A also show significant claims, averaging $9,936 with a 2.6-foot water depth. Homeowners in Zone X, Zone A, and areas without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ramsey County, Minnesota has recorded 25 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 6 river or area floods. The county has received 19 federal disaster declarations, 9 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 Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 12, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jun 11, 2014 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 16, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 1, 2010 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Flood | Mar 23, 2001 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 17, 2000 |
| Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, And Tornadoes | Tornado | May 15, 1998 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 17, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 18, 2014 | 1.90M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2011 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 16, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 20, 2010 | 2.40M |
Flash Flood — Jun 25, 2025
A warm front lifted north into southern Minnesota on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 25th. Strong surface heating to the south of the front with dew points in the 70s allowed for ample instability to develop across the area. Scattered thunderstorms developed in response to the instability and flash flooding occurred in western and east central MN. Strong low-level shear allowed these low-topp...
Flash Flood — Jul 21, 2024
On the morning of July 21st, a cluster of showers and thunderstorms containing heavy rainfall developed over the Twin Cities metropolitan area along a slow-moving surface frontal boundary. Rainfall rates neared two inches per hour which caused urban flash flooding in downtown St. Paul at the intersection of I-35E and Shepard Rd. A car was left stranded with all lanes of traffic underwater.
Flash Flood — Jul 5, 2020
A thunderstorm developed over the eastern Twin Cities Metro area during the afternoon of Sunday, July 5th. This storm was nearly stationary for an hour and produced up to 2 inches of rainfall in a short period of time. Four separate flood reports were noted with roads temporarily closed around Maplewood.
Flash Flood — Sep 17, 2015
A line of thunderstorms developed early Thursday morning, September 17th in eastern Minnesota, near the Twin Cities. These storms produced very heavy rainfall, gusty winds and some hail. The largest hail stone was quarter size near Crystal. Several thunderstorms moved across northern Dakota, southern Ramsey, and parts of western Washington Counties, and produced up to 2-3 inches of rainfall in ...
Flood — Jun 18, 2014
Several rounds of thunderstorms began during the week of June 14th, and continued through most of the week with areas of flash flooding. The flash flooding evolved into areal flooding, and then main-stem river flooding which continued through the end of the month. The hardest hit areas were from New Ulm to Mankato, northeast through the length of the Minnesota River, and the Twin Cities Metro a...
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 Ramsey 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 Ramsey 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.