Enter any address in Winona County, Minnesota to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Mississippi is the dominant flood character for Winona County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 67 flood events and 31 flash flood events, the latter resulting in 5 fatalities. Recent events in June and July 2024 illustrate this, with above-normal rainfall leading to widespread river flooding across southeast Minnesota, including the Mississippi River mainstem, which entered flood stage and persisted into July.
NFIP claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $36,800 and an average water depth of 7.5 feet. Properties in Zone X_SHADED have also seen significant payouts, averaging $66,164 with an average water depth of 8.5 feet, though with fewer claims. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, or those located near rivers and streams should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
53 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Winona County, Minnesota has recorded 98 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 31 flash floods and 67 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 6 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 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 And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 17, 2000 |
| Severe Storms, Straight Line Winds, And Tornadoes | Tornado | May 15, 1998 |
| Severe Flooding, High Winds,severe Storms | Flood | Mar 21, 1997 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2024 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 25, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 85.00K |
| Flood | Apr 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 29, 2024
During the late afternoon and evening hours on August 29th, storms of various modes moved across portions of southeast Minnesota bringing isolated wind damage. Additionally, the heavy rainfall from storms caused urban flooding in Winona which resulted in numerous streets being flooded and one instance of a vehicle being inundated with water.
Flood — Jun 25, 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 — Jun 24, 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...
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2024
During the early morning hours on June 22nd, a slow moving line of thunderstorms produced flooding resulting in several road closures. Most notably Interstate 90 was closed in Mower County due to water over the road.
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...
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 Winona 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 Winona 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.