Enter any address in St. Louis County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in St. Louis County. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 89 flash flood events, along with 19 general flood events and 5 lakeshore flood events. For example, on June 16, 2025, an area of low pressure moving across the region contributed to flash flooding. Another flash flood event occurred on June 21, 2025, associated with a complex of thunderstorms.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $13,138 and an average water depth of 5.0 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $11,597 and an average water depth of 6.7 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X, and Zone X_SHADED, as well as those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) determination, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
61 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
St. Louis County, Minnesota has recorded 113 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 89 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 17 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 (1970–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Munger Shaw Fire | Fire | May 12, 2025 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 16, 2024 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Apr 11, 2023 |
| 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 Storms And Flooding | Flood | Oct 9, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 15, 2018 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 14, 2012 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 19, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jun 19, 2024 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 100.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2025
Severe storms moved across northeastern Minnesota the morning of the 23rd ahead of a cold front. Storms began in Cass County where they produced tree damage and a measured gust of 64 mph in Walker. As they moved to the northeast, they lost their strength, but became heavy rain producers which led to some minor flooding in the city of Ely during the late morning hours.
Flash Flood — Jun 21, 2025
A complex of thunderstorms moved across the Northland the night of the 20th into the 21st. A warm front was draped across the region and led to a first round of storms moving to the northeast. This was quickly followed by an eastward moving line of storms. Large to very large hail was seen with the first line of storms including a 3 inch hail report just south of Grand Rapids. The second line w...
Flash Flood — Jun 16, 2025
An area of low pressure moved from eastern South Dakota to Lake Superior on the 16th. As the low tracked to the northeast, it lifted a warm front into central Minnesota. To the south of the warm front and to the east of a cold front, a very warm and moist unstable airmass was in place. Morning thunderstorms across the region left cloud cover in place over much of the Northland, but areas of cle...
Flood — Jun 19, 2024
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, a stationary surface front, in conjunction with an anomalously moist airmass over the Northland, resulting in widespread flash flooding. NWS Duluth issued seven Flash Flood Warnings (across much of NE MN and the Bayfield Peninsula), three of which were upgraded to include a considerable tag for life threatening flash flooding. Additionally, severe thunderstorms occurr...
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2024
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, a stationary surface front, in conjunction with an anomalously moist airmass over the Northland, resulting in widespread flash flooding. NWS Duluth issued seven Flash Flood Warnings (across much of NE MN and the Bayfield Peninsula), three of which were upgraded to include a considerable tag for life threatening flash flooding. Additionally, severe thunderstorms occurr...
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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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.