Enter any address in Wabasha County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Mississippi is the dominant flood character for Wabasha County. Between 2000 and 2020, the county experienced 62 flood events and 19 flash flood events. Recent flooding in June and July 2024, driven by above-normal rainfall, caused widespread river flooding across southeast Minnesota, with the Mississippi River entering flood stage and persisting into July.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $24,465 and an average water depth of 2.2 feet. Properties in Zone X also saw claims with an average payout of $15,970 and an average water depth of 1.6 feet. Residents in areas prone to river flooding, particularly those in Zone A, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
33 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wabasha County, Minnesota has recorded 81 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 19 flash floods and 62 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 (1965–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jun 16, 2024 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Apr 11, 2023 |
| 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 And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 22, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 18, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Flood | Mar 23, 2001 |
| 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 | Jul 31, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 2021 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 28, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2024
On the evening of July 31st, a cluster of severe storms brought large hail, wind damage and heavy rainfall to portions of southeast Minnesota. In some areas, heavy rainfall totals led to flooding of various roads and low-lying areas in residential communities.
Flood — Jun 27, 2024
Well above average rainfall throughout June in conjunction with late-month heavy rainfall contributed to additional rises into flood stage along the Mississippi River. The river gauge at Lake City reached minor flood stage before the end of the month and remained in flood stage into July.
Flood — Jun 21, 2024
Above normal rainfall over the course of June, combined with a robust rainfall event between June 20th and 22nd, led to widespread river flooding across portions of southeast Minnesota. Rainfall amounts upwards of 7 inches between the 20th and 22nd allowed the Mississippi River, Cedar River and many other river basins in southeast Minnesota to enter flood stage towards the end of June. Flooding...
Flood — Jul 1, 2024
Heavy rainfall throughout June led to many locations along the Mississippi River in Southeast Minnesota to enter flood stage which persisted into July. During the first week of July many points along the Mississippi River south of Wabasha observed their maximum river stage in minor to moderate flooding. As relatively drier conditions took hold over the first half of July, river stages fell belo...
Flood — Apr 16, 2023
A deeper than average snow pack from northern Minnesota into northern Wisconsin underwent a rapid melt through much of April from unseasonably warm temperatures combined with multiple rain events. This resulted in increased water levels and significant flooding for the entire length of the local Mississippi River, with most sites climbing to their third to fifth highest crests on record. Initia...
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 Wabasha 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 Wabasha 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.